Partners Bonnie
Thornton and Tamika Rivera (left to right) had a vision. They
wanted to open a spa and shop in Williamsburg that catered to
the spa needs of the people who lived in their neighborhood,
forsaking the elitist ambiance of Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue spas,
explained Thornton. With their own hands, and the hands of many
friends, they converted their space at 115 Grand St. at Berry
Street from the remains of an old Polish restaurant into Therapy
spa and store.
Rivera plans to open the spa at the end of March, but their store
has been in full swing for five months, filled with holistic,
organic goodies including name brand products, soaps and candles
from Paris, teas and oils.
"I’m a huge product whore – a fanatic," said Thornton,
who casts her net far and wide for the best products. "I
like luxury products, and we have contacts who bring back products
from other countries and say, ’Try this.’"
In their two treatment rooms Therapy will offer wraps and scrubs,
facials, waxing, massage, reiki and reflexology, said Rivera.
Therapy will also offer manicures and pedicures (without polish).
Both Rivera and Thornton say their experience lies in years of
being discriminating consumers of spa services and products and
want to offer those items to Brooklynites in bites that make
sense to their lifestyle.
"We didn’t want to keep it ’city,’" said Thornton,
encouraging potential clients to call with their needs, and the
staff will work with them.
"We want to offer a steam and great mask, about 45 minutes,
for $35 to $40, so you can look good that night," she said.
"We’re not Elizabeth Arden where you need to spend three
hours and $300. We have a young clientele. I know I go crazy
if I have a treatments that last more than two hours."
"We’re letting people define our time scales," Thornton
said. "Because those are the people that will keep coming
back."
For more information about Therapy’s spa services, call (718)
486-0370.
KEEPING IT REAL
