The GREEN Day Spa, which opened for business on Oct. 22, aims to provide premium service with a conscious.
“That’s what we’re trying to achieve at the end of the day,” says owner/operator Tami Arbour, who is a qualified aesthetician herself. “I grew up in a lifestyle that was alternative – very natural and organic, where the belief was to let the body heal itself. Traditional medicine didn’t come first.
“My mother was a massage therapist, reflexologist and Reiki master, so going to the spa was a completely normal everyday thing,” she adds. “It’s something I believe in as mental and physical health, 100 per cent.”
The new facility, located at 64 Mary Street in downtown Barrie, will feature all organic and vegan products, including those used to clean with (except where the health department requires a hospital-grade sterilization process).
Pevonia Botanica, for example, produces a line of eco-friendly skin care that is exclusive to GREEN Day in Barrie.
“And SpaRitual nail products are vegan with no chemicals,” she says. “The range of colours is incredible – there are 216 of them to choose from.”
SpaRitual prides itself on “creating eco-friendly products and packaging perfectly crafted for the enlightened consumer. The formulations are naturally coloured and free of synthetic dyes.”
Arbour realizes customers might not necessarily believe or understand the benefits of organics, but says education about healthy living is part of her job.
“There’s so much information out there,” she says.
An experienced and successful entrepreneur in the health and wellness industry, as well as in the financial field, Arbour went back to school to train as an aesthetician with the intent of opening this spa.
Upon graduation, she worked in the industry to learn the business from the ground up – even cleaning toilets when need be.
“I worked in destination spas and day spas, which is more my cup of team,” she acknowledges.
“Everyone needs to take a moment to breathe.”
The warm and comfortable beauty of the century home that houses the new spa caters to women on the main floor and has established a more masculine environment upstairs for men featuring a television and magazines about sports and business.
“That way, men and women can have their treatments done at the same time and leave together,” she says. Seniors who visit on Tuesdays can enjoy a 15-per-cent discount off all retail products and services.
Standard spa fare such as facials, manicures and pedicures, waxing, brow/lash tinting and relaxation massage (traditional and hot stone), are complemented by certified diamond dermabrasion treatments. On-site make-up experts also provide lessons and applications.
There are five full-time and three part-time employees at The GREEN Day Spa, with each aesthetician locally-trained and certified.
As spa services become more popular, more facilities are becoming available to the public.
Arbour welcomes each one.
“I really believe there’s room for everyone,” she says. “Barrie’s a booming place.”
Her goal, however, is to become the best spa in the city.
“Customer service is first and foremost absolutely,” she asserts. “And client confidentiality is also a priority.”
Amid the charm of the building’s high ceilings and hardwood floors, the bottom line is providing an enjoyable experience, regardless of the service received.
“Sometimes they don’t feel confident because of issues like body hair and acne that are easily, safely and organically taken care of,” she explains. “They come walking in sad and leave Woohoo! – it’s great.”
She says in Europe doctors will prescribe a spa visit for stressed patients, she adds. “Everyone needs to take an hour for themselves every month.”
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