New Tampa

Idle spa draws interest

A newcomer wants to take over Spa Malia, whose owner remains locked up.

By JOHN BALZ, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 23, 2003

HUNTER'S GREEN -- Gregory Gray is leaving Oklahoma City and his spa behind on April 1. He's coming to Tampa, he says. He'd like to settle in New Tampa and take over grooming and pampering at the recently closed Spa Malia.

Jim DeRiso, the owner of the Spa Malia property, says he's looking to sell the 3.4-acre parcel in Hunter's Green, which includes 10,050 square feet of office space currently used by a dentist, a real estate agency and, of course, the vacant spa.

The spa's future is up in the air. Its owner, Michael Murphy, remains in a Chicago detention center. Authorities charged him last month with taking millions from investors in a "Ponzi" scam in which he promised to invest their money.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is still questioning investors who say Murphy defrauded them, according to a spokesman. The total is expected to exceed the $11-million authorities announced in February.

DeRiso said he would like to sell the Spa Malia building quickly.

"I'd had a lot of people who are interested," DeRiso said. "It's been brisk."

His attorney must first resolve issues with law enforcement officers about who owns the spa's state-of-the-art equipment. Given the current conflict in Iraq and the domestic war against terrorism, he understands that Spa Malia might not be high on the government's list of priorities.

Gray, meanwhile, has spoken to DeRiso and is preparing to move to Tampa. He sold Face Beautiful, a European-style spa in Oklahoma City he has operated since 1995, to an employee's father.

He offers upscale services similar to Spa Malia's, including hydrotherapy and detoxification. There would also be manicures, pedicures and a full-service hair salon.

Gray visited Spa Malia this month. New Tampa is the perfect demographic and socioeconomic fit for his business, he said. He first considered leaving Oklahoma after the death of his partner last May.

If he were to open in Hunter's Green, Gray said he would keep the name Face Beautiful. He would honor all outstanding Spa Malia gift certificates as a way to introduce himself to New Tampa.

"I have an incredible passion of making sure that my clients are happy," said Gray.

-- John Balz can be reached at (813) 269-5313 or at balz@sptimes.com .

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