Local Spa Owners to Honor Unused Gift Certificates for Spa That Abruptly Closed in Grosse Pointe Woods

This story was originally posted by Sara Eaton Martin

The owners of businesses featuring spa services are offering to honor gift certificates held by customers of the now closed Serenity Spa, formerly known as the Edwin Paul Spa.
 
January Thomas, co-owner of Massage Green Spa in St. Clair Shores, Betsy Breckels Fortuna, owner of Breckels Massage Therapy in Grosse Pointe Park and Kandy Wagner, owner of Exodus Hair & Nail Studio in St. Clair Shores have contacted the editors of the Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores Patch sites wishing to help those customers who still have unused gift certificates for the former Edwin Paul Spa.

The Edwin Paul Spa was being prepared to undergo a name change when it closed unexpectedly in mid-May. Gift certificates had been sold to customers very close in time to when it closed. 

Now the most recent owner, Rose Marchese, is in the midst of trying to sell her shares back to the longtime owner, Elizabeth Wagensumer. In the meantime, customers with gift certificates have contacted Patch, the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce and Edwin Paul Salon about the spa's closure. They are frustrated about the lack of information and the potential loss of money relate to their gift certificates. 

The salon is not associated with the spa. Wagensumer had permission to use the name from the president of Edwin Paul Inc., Edwin Framalino, who owns the salon. 

In order to receive services at either Massage Green or Betsy Breckels Massage, 
customers must show their gift certificate.

Thomas and Fortuna have outlined a specific plan. There will not be an exchange related to the specific value of the gift certificate. 

Thomas will offer one service for one gift certificate that was purchased from January to May 2013, she said. The offer is from now through June 30, 2013. Gratuities are not included, Thomas said, noting the exchange of services will only be at the St. Clair Shores location of Massage Green. 

Breckels Fortuna is offering 30 and 60 minute massage sessions. One session per guest, she said. She is able to schedule up to two of these sessions a day from now through Aug. 31, 2013, Fortuna said.

Marchese had offered for anyone who had purchased a spa gift certificate from January to May 2013 to redeem the value at her other Grosse Pointe Woods businesses: Hannah Bear Boutique and La Jolie Rose, which are housed in the same building on Mack Avenue. 

Thomas said her motivation was not only to help the customers but also to alert people that there are other local options. Massage Green is also on Mack Avenue just beyond St. Joan of Arc. 

Given the gift certificates are for spa services, Thomas figured the customers may want that type of service in exchange rather than retail shopping. 

Anyone with questions may contact the owners at their respective businesses: 

• January Thomas, Massage Green, 21920 Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores, 586-777-7030.
• Betsy Breckels Fortuna, Breckels Massage Therapy, 16610 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park, 313-886-8761.