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'The working man's day spa'

A couple meld their three businesses into one, Spa 801, and move to the Tyrone area from Central Avenue.

By SHARON L. BOND
Published February 19, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Snippers, Artistic Nails and Absolute Massage Therapy moved to the Tyrone area and melded into Spa 801.

At this business owned by Marilynn and James Bockover, customers get their hair cut and colored, legs and other body areas waxed, synthetic nails attached and painted or natural nails manicured.

For the feet, there are pedicure chairs. For the skin, facials and body treatments are offered, and for the body, massages up to 90 minutes or with hot stones. Botox is coming later.

"It's the working man's day spa," said Marilynn Bockover. "We target the working man that wants to treat his wife to a special day and not have to pay for it for the next six months."

Men can also treat themselves. Twenty-five to 30 percent of clients are men.

"They are loving the pedicures and massages. They get their hair done as well," Marilynn Bockover said.

Massage is one of the most popular services, she said. Prices range from $45 for a 30-minute massage to $90 for one with hot stones.

A haircut and blow dry is $36 and a first-time hair coloring is $55. Foil highlights are $90, and eyebrows can be colored for $12. Perms begin at $75 and vary according to stylists.

Full leg waxing is $45. Doing the chin or lips is $10. A bikini wax is $30.

The Bockovers had most of the same services at 5700 Central Ave. but divided into three businesses. More room was needed. So, though both the Bockovers are typical retirement age - he, 66, and she, 64 - they bought the old funeral home at 801 Tyrone Blvd. and designed their idea of a luxury salon incorporating all their services on Central Avenue and adding others.

Spa 801 has more than twice the space of the Central Avenue location. The staff has grown from eight to 20. There are nine stylists including James Bockover.

"It's a huge transformation," said James Bockover.

The pair have been in the hair business in St. Petersburg for 35 years. James Bockover estimated they spent between $750,000 and $1-million to buy, renovate and furnish the property.

The salon, which bears no traces of being a funeral home, is decorated in a breezy Key West style with hardwood floors.

Rooms are divided for services; four are reserved for massage therapists. Hair is colored or permed in a separate section to keep chemical smells from covering the entire spa. Cookies and coffee are offered, as are beer and wine. Big screen televisions are on the walls so sports fans can watch events while getting spa services. An outside seating area accommodates smokers.

Expanded skin care will be added in the spring.

"We have two doctors interested in coming in twice a month to do Botox," said Marilynn Bockover. "We are interviewing a gal who does acupuncture."

"Our projections are for $1-million a year in gross sales," James Bockover said.

Spa 801 opened just before Christmas. The Bockovers said the location boosted their sales of gift certificates from $2,500 in the old salon to nearly $10,000 this season.

[Last modified February 19, 2006, 01:08:19]