Ricci’s Salon Opens ‘The Spa’

By Kaaren Valenta

Ricci’s Salon has opened “The Spa” immediately adjacent to its salon on South Main Street.

“We want to offer a sanctuary, a place to provide an ultimate escape from the stressful pace of everyday life,” said owner Daniel Riccio. “We responded to requests from our clientele for spa services – there was a demonstrated need.”

 “We want it to be intimate, not a spa-type atmosphere,” he explained. “The concept of The Spa is designed to provide personalized service for a limited number of clients at one time. We do not intend to do a high-volume business. We want our clients to feel pampered and relaxed while enjoying the special services of The Spa.”

Melissa McMahon and Scheri Passero are the spa’s estheticians. The staff also will include massage therapists and nail technicians.

“Both Melissa and Scheri have extensive knowledge of skin care,” Mr Riccio said. “We will be offering the basic spa services with a personalized touch. We offer skin, body care, and aroma therapy.”

Services include facials, massage, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. There also are multiple services in Spa Relaxation Packages.

Specially designed to pamper every part of the body, from head to toe, the spa packages are available for both men and women. The “Executive” package, described as a stimulating break for busy professionals, includes a European facial, manicure, and pedicure. “Gentlemen’s Tranquility” features a back treatment, manicure, and European facials. “Renaissance,” a half-day of indulgence, includes a back treatment, European facial, manicure, and pedicure.

“We have our own line of skin care products and makeup,” Mr Riccio said.

For those who want a look that is uniquely theirs, the spa’s estheticians will provide a consultation lesson and application. Make-up application services also will be provided as part of the salon’s bridal package.

“We offer two levels of service,” Mr Riccio said. “There is the express service, which is less time and less money, and the spa service for full pampering.”

For example, the express manicure includes a brief massage and polish, for $10-$15. The luxurious, full-service manicure, $15-$18, includes cleansing, exfoliation, hydration, and massage of hands and arms to protect and smooth the skin, followed by polish.

There is a choice of a 10-minute chair massage, a 35-minute express massage, or three different 60-minute massages: Swedish, deep-tissue, and Shiatsu.

Each of the major spa areas is separated by French doors to ensure privacy and relaxation.

“The Spa is committed to providing our clients with exceptional and personalized services and products that will enhance individual beauty and wellness in a beautiful, relaxing atmosphere,” Mr Riccio said.

The opening of the spa celebrates the 60th anniversary of the award-winning salon, which was begun by Mr Riccio’s father, Daniel “Rick” Riccio, as Victor & Ricky’s in 1940 in the Queen Street shopping center. The salon later moved to Ricky’s Shopping Center, then temporarily to Southbury when fire severely damaged the plaza in December 1976. It has been in its current location at 99 South Main Street for the past 12 years, for much of that time also operating Hairworks in Ricky’s Plaza. The two salons consolidated several years ago, allowing the staff of more than 50 to significantly expand the hours of operation. Three years ago Mr Riccio opened Ricci’s Academy, a hairdressing school that has grown to include more than 60 students and is recognized as one of the finest in Fairfield County.

The Spa will maintain the same hours as the salon. For more information, call The Spa at 426-1611.