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NANCY HUNTER
LITTLE EGG HARBOR - Peppermint Sea Twist and Pomegranate Cran-Apple might sound like the latest flavors on a martini menu, but they're actually body treatments offered at Splashes Beautique Salon and Day Spa, located at 240 Mathistown Road.
The state of the art salon and day spa is one of several businesses located in Lenape Square plaza, the brainchild of Bonnie and Lance James of Little Egg Harbor.
For years, 12 to be exact, Bonnie talked about owning a salon that was bigger and different from the 900-sqare-foot one she owned in Mystic Island. She wanted a place where her customers could enjoy services other than the usual haircut and color.
"I wanted something with a little more glam," she said.
Well, two years ago, that dream became a reality when the Jameses came upon a plot of land on Mathistown Road.
"It was some dirt and trees, that's all," explained Bonnie, a Forked River native.
That's what some people said, but not them. They were able to see through the trees, so to speak, and envision a plaza where she could expand her salon business into the extravagant day spa she dreamt of.
The new 3000-sqare-foot facility is more than triple the size of the salon Bonnie was used to. She wanted to provide her clients with pampering and attention in a relaxed atmosphere that has a metropolitan feel.
"Southern hospitality with a splash of Manhattan," is the way she describes it.
While Bonnie worked on the salon and day spa, Lance worked on building the plaza. A husband and wife working together might seem like a nightmare to some couples but not the Jameses.
"My husband and I work well together," Bonnie said, adding with a laugh, "a family that works together, stays together."
The couple has two daughters, Cherisey, 27, and Jessica, 17. Cherisey is expected to deliver the Jameses' first grandchild in June right around Splashes Beautique's first anniversary.
The Lenape Sqaure plaza is an answer to providing for the growing population the region has seen over the past few years.
"The whole area was newly built and a lot of people were moving to the shore," she recalls.
While Lance was doing some research, Bonnie says that he made an interesting discovery. "The Lenape Indians lived here," she said. In a way, naming the plaza Lenape Square is a way of paying homage to its earliest inhabitants. Today, several businesses have been operating in the plaza including Direct Express LLC, Cuda Apparel, Hot Spot Tanning, Southside Bakery, Food Express, as well as a podiatrist and a dentist.
As for naming the salon Splashes, Bonnie tells the story of sitting in her old salon when the idea came up. "My daughter and her friend were with me and they noticed that the rug design in the salon looked like little splashes. That name kept coming up and eventually that's what we called it."
The salon boasts 13 stations for their staple business of hair cutting and coloring. The day spa is equipped with a relaxation room, esthetician room, massage room and pedicure room. Along with facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures, the salon menu includes micro dermabrasion, body bronzing, salt glows, inch-reducing body wraps and reflexology. As for massages, a variety are offered such as Swedish, aroma therapy, therapeutic, deep tissue, prenatal, neck and shoulder and hot stone massages.
There are special packages for special occasions. Bride to Be, Groom to Be, Mother to Be, Mother and Daughter Getaway, Bridesmaid, Groomsmen and Executive Escape are listed on the menu.
It's easy to see why the salon boasts a loyal male clientele. Names like Simply Handsome, Totally Buffed, Chick Magnet, Beach Bum and Sports Buffed add to the attraction. The packages include unique features like hairline wax, chest and back wax, beard shaping, sports massage, sports pedicure and hot oil scalp massage.
Pricing is relatively reasonable with a special introductory package for $99 that includes a facial, a manicure and a massage. The salon also carries top of the line brands including Bed Head, Sexy Hair, Schwarkopf and Repechage.
Currently there is a customer and staff appreciation contest with a Caribbean cruise as the grand prize. Every new customer will be entered automatically. Additional entries will be given for each retail item purchased. Winners will be determined by a random drawing to be held on Dec. 20.
Source: Times-BeaconAll rights reserved.