Area spa serves up relaxation

by Jazz Clark
The town of Bath is home to a bevy of spa and relaxation options, old and new alike, and here is one of the newest:

Brand new Rita Renee’s, located at 131 Congress Street, has options from pedicures to manicures to waxing. In business just a few weeks, massage in particular has been a hit for owner and therapist Rita Harris.

“Massage is very healing to the body, and the biggest reward is when someone comes in with an ache or pain and when they leave that pain is gone and they are standing straighter,” Harris said. “It gives me such reward to see them walk out with a little bit of relief.”

The technique known as “cupping” is particularly helpful in massage, as it pulls on the muscle instead of pushing like in regular massage.

A unique feature is the “ice cream pedicure” which uses a ball of fizzing Epsom salts to treat the feet. The lotions come in a variety of ice cream flavors.

“Because we’re beside the ice cream shop, I thought it would be a lot of fun,” said Harris.

This is the first spa Harris has actually owned in her 21 years of experience.

“I’ve actually opened two spas, one at the Woods Resort when they opened their spa while they were still under construction,” said Harris. “I also opened a medical spa with a doctor in Winchester, Va. where I was before opening here.”

Harris went to Synergy Healing Arts massage school in Pennsylvania, and has a national certification in massage therapy and is licensed in cosmetology.

Some day, she would love to own a different spa in a bigger location, but is thankful right now to have her own place in her native town.

Her weight loss program called Shaklee 180 meets at 6:30 on Thursdays. Call 304-258-8992 to schedule an appointment or for more information.