It has been a full year of stress, maskne, and hunching over our work-from-home setups. But as the light at the end of the tunnel of a tumultuous year in quarantine seems to be around the corner, new businesses are flourishing, and as the weather warms up, hope is settling in nicely. We’ve all learned a lot this past year. Few things in particular being the need to care for ourselves and the need for community.
Bottleworks District’s first phase of construction has recently helped set the tone to remind Hoosiers of the power of our city and what it’s like to enjoy open concept areas again. Travelers will start to arrive again from near and far. But it’s the staycation vibes that are also bringing locals back downtown after a year of social distancing.
With that comes an influx of new businesses, and in particular, the newest Woodhouse Day Spa location that boasts some serious big city vibes.The franchised central Indiana spas, owned and operated by Terri Smith, have continued to grow. And with that, Smith knew she needed to expand yet again. The timing was just right when Bottleworks came to her with the idea to bring Woodhouse Spa to the newly revamped historical district right off of Massachusetts Avenue. Turns out, Smith and her team were also looking for the perfect way to service downtown Indianapolis and those in the South side of the city.
The Bottleworks location, opened on St. Patrick’s Day 2021, has a cosmopolitan vibe while still maintaining the original structure of the building and a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of life. (And yes, they have full COVID precautions in place.)
Unique to the Bottleworks location is an innovative treatment called Halotherapy: a cocoon-like experience in the spa’s himalayan salt room constructed with real salt bricks to actively let guests breath in the salt. For $65, guests can experience 45 minutes of relaxing bliss while laying on zero gravity salt loungers proven to expand lung flow and help with depression. Smith also notes that the incredibly beautiful room is more than just aesthetics, it also aids in calming skin conditions that have surged due to the increased amount of antibacterial products and mask usage that has become our new normal.
We chatted wtih Terri about the trends she’s seeing in the spa industry including hydro-facials, body wraps, salt rooms, massages and the like. “Now that we’ve been through a pandemic we may not buy the new blouse, but we’re sure as heck going to get a massage or facial,” she told us. “Working from home and masks have contributed to this. Taking care of yourself is important. Awareness has skyrocketed.”
Amen to that.
The Woodhouse Day Spa, 850 Massachusetts Ave., 317-981-8888
Lenie Tsakonas is a regular Indy Maven contributor.
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