Salon Blue/ Spa 190 Finds a Home in Mineola

When Lisa Abbey was searching for a new location for her salon business, she wanted many things including a large space suitable for expansion and plenty of windows. Not just any windows, but floor-to-ceiling ones to provide what she termed "tons of natural light." She also wanted a location that people could walk to but that was also near and accessible to parkways, and offered ample parking.

She found it in Mineola. It has been nothing short of a home run for Abbey and her twin businesses -  and .

"We love the space, we love the town, we love the people of Mineola, and they have been so accommodating. We just love it," said Abbey, president of the dual spa and salon. Abbey ran the salon part of the business when it was in Carle Place, but the move to the 2,800 square foot space in Mineola enabled her to start a spa business alongside.

Salon Blue and Spa 190 celebrated its fifth year in Mineola last month. About 25 percent of the clients are Mineola residents. "We pull from a lot of areas," Abbey said. "We gained a lot of new clients when we moved here." Repeat customers drive the businesses, and Abbey's staff of 35 spends a great deal of time on quality customer service to ensure customers keep coming back. She said the tough economy has forced her business to cut back in some areas. "Where we could not cut back on was on the quality details for the customer," Abbey said. Her front desk staff asks each guest about their experience. "If they see someone hesitate when we ask them [about their experience], our staff will want to know about it. We want our clients to feel comfortable here."

There are 11 massage treatments on the Spa 190 menu, ranging from a 30-minute de-stress massage ($45) to 60-, 90- and 120-minute treatments. The ultimate indulgence is the four-hand massage in which two therapists work simultaneously on both upper and lower body to achieve the deepest state of relaxation. Prices for the four-hand massage are $180 for 60 minutes, $270 for 90 and $350 for 120 minutes. An Ashiatsu, or "foot pressure," Oriental Bar therapy which uses deep compression that glides over the body is coming soon. Therapists use an overhead bar to aid in employing push-pull movements for a deep, therapeutic massage.

Holistic treatments include Reflexology (30 minutes, $45; 60 minutes, $90) and Reike (30 minutes, $45; 60 minutes, $90), an ancient Japanese-style deep healing therapy said to "balance the energy chakras" and clense the body. Less known treatments include Ear Candling and Guided Meditation. With Ear candling (30 minutes, $45), therapists use a hollow, tapered candle to relieve sinus pressure, dissolve earwax and improve hearing and balance. The Guided Meditation (30 minutes, $45) lets the mind relax as it "connects you with your inner guidance and self-empowerment."

Salon Blue, which is adjacent to the spa, specializes in design, styling and coloring. Customers get their choice of a Master Director, Artistic Director or Creative Stylist for their hair treatments. The directors and stylists are elite professionals who have achieved a master's level in their craft or have earned distinction in their specialty through extensive education and advanced follow-up.

Abbey's professional bridal team provides hair salon and cosmetic service in-salon, on location or in the privacy of a bride's home. Salon Blue also hosts a Spring/Fall Bridal Fashion Expo.

Abbey said one of her goals when she moved to Mineola was to get involved in the community, to support local events and charitable causes. She said her company has forged a strong relationship with the village as well as local businesses, some of whom reward their staff with salon and spa treatments at the end of the year.

Through the end of November, Salon Blue and Spa 190 is providing Mineola residents with an exclusive savings, ranging from $10 off any gift card purchase of $75 or more, to $50 off any gift card purchase of $300 or more. There is an additional 10 percent off all gift products and gift baskets. The discount is available to Mineola residents only.

"We think this will be a nice thank you for the people of Mineola for supporting us," Abbey said.