PHOTOS/BARRY LIVELY
CONVERSATIONS
Ginger Lettelleir
Owner, WoodHouse Day Spa
BY CINDY COCKBURN
When our Mayor and Chamber President presided over yet another ribbon cutting in our booming city, we attended the gathering, heard the speeches, joined in with applause. But after a sneak peek inside the gorgeous facility with owners and entrepreneurs Mark and Ginger Lettelleir, we assure you this is certainly NOT just “business as usual.” It’s a slice of heaven in St. Pete, a combo of magical peace and serenity flavored with the aroma of calm.
How did you decide on the Woodhouse franchise? The Woodhouse franchise aligns with the overall look that I wanted for my spa. It also includes unique treatments that are results oriented. The tipping point for me were the Core Values that The Woodhouse franchise embraces - Building Relationships With People and Serving People to Help Transform Lives. I think that is beautiful.
The new $1.5 million Woodhouse Day Spa is located in the James Museum complex at 75 1st Street South. The spa is 6,000 square feet with 70 unusual treatments, and a dream come true for former schoolteacher Ginger Lettelleir. We caught up with her recently, sitting near the fireplace in the spa relaxation room and asked: how did this dream come about?
What will we find inside this 6,000 square foot spa? You will find beautifully appointed massage and facial rooms as well as a tub room, duet room and Vichy shower room. Our Quiet Room is the heart of the spa. Here you will find ample seating to begin your experience while enjoying a beverage, reading a magazine, or simply relaxing in a quiet environment. Our target customers are adults who wish to destress, unplug, and be pampered for a while.
What is your background and how long have you had this dream to open a spa? I am a retired educator. I mostly taught primary grades, but I was also an Assistant Principal in an elementary school. Opening a spa has been a dream of mine most of my life. As a little girl, I enjoyed all things spa related and never grew out of that. Oftentimes, I played spa music in my classroom while my students worked. It’s definitely calming. What kind of research did you undertake to find the right spa concept unique to St. Pete? Since I lacked the business background, I looked into spa franchises. I was actually surprised and extremely happy to find The Woodhouse franchise because it so closely aligned with the vision of what I wanted my spa to be like. What was your inspiration? After visiting many different spas all over the country and even on vacations abroad I knew that I wanted my spa to feel warm, relaxing, inviting, and a place you could feel was an escape from reality. I also wanted it to have a Ritz Carlton type of service in which each guest is treated with the utmost respect and attention to details.
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StPeteLifeMag.com
November/December 2018
What is a Vichy shower and why should we care that it’s the only one in town? A Vichy shower allows for a unique treatment in which an invigorating waterfall streams down to gently massage you while relaxing on a padded table. This treatment invigorates the senses and increases blood flow within the body. The experience is enhanced with a wrap or scrub and allows the treatment to be completed without having to move to another room for removal of product. Of the 70 treatments you offer, what is your favorite? My favorite treatment is our Hydrafacial with the CTGF enhancement. This facial not only exfoliates, but it also deeply hydrates the skin. The CTGF enhancement helps to firm the skin and diminish fine lines and wrinkles. The facial itself is also very relaxing. What do you love about St. Pete? When the weather cools off, I enjoy having a drink outside on the Canopy rooftop at the Birchwood or have brunch outside at Cassis. I love the Sundial shops and movie theater. First Friday is always fun and there’s almost always live music downtown or at the beach.