Hand and Stone Brings Big Changes

TOMS RIVER, N.J. - In 2004, John Marco started a venture in Toms River, New Jersey, and 15 years later, that business has expanded to over 400 locations nationwide. On June 18, John’s children Nicholas Marco and Tara Bogota hosted a grand reopening at the Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, showing off a renovated and expanded spa experience.

Along with being a national brand, the younger Marco said the franchise has been selected for a top honor among businesses.

“Just this week we made it to number 8 on Forbes Magazine Top 10 franchises to buy list for 2019,” Marco said. “This is wonderful news for a brand that was founded right here in Toms River.”

Marco says the foundation for the business is how the clients are treated as soon as they walk in the door. Hand and Stone focuses on client, and employee care, right from the beginning.

“It doesn’t matter how successful you are, you need to treat every client as an individual,” Marco said. “This doesn’t just apply to our clients either, it also goes for your employees.”

Along with the renovations to the Toms River location, Marco said the hours of operation have been expanded as well, offering services for over 90 hours per week.

Hand and Stone is also now offering Cannabidiol, or CBD oil, as an enhancement option for their massages. The CBD oil will cost clients $20 to add on to their spa treatment. Later this summer, clients will also begin to see the rollout of a premium level facial, a dermalinfusion facial.

“This is a high level hydrofacial that most people would think that only a Medi Spa would offer,” Marco said. “We’re still working on the pricing but we expect to roll it out in August.”

Nicholas Marco and Tara Bogota, who grew up in Toms River, have been working with Hand & Stone since college and are currently the owners of Howell's and Manalapan's Hand & Stone locations, according to a press release.

The grand reopening of the Toms River location was attended by the Toms River Chamber of Commerce, as well as Mayor Tom Kelaher, the release said.

Hand and Stone is located at 1358 Hooper Ave in Toms River. The first daily appointment is available Monday through Saturday starting at 8 a.m., and 9 a.m. on Sundays.