Elizabeth Grady Spa Opens in Portsmouth MA
Elizabeth Grady Salon opens Elizabeth Grady Salon Portsmouth
Heidi Coscia opened her second salon, Elizabeth Grady, in Portsmouth in February. It is the 37th store of the regional chain of Elizabeth Grady salons. Coscia, who lives in Rye, has been a fan of Elizabeth Grady for a long time. She opened her first salon, in Chestnut Hill, Mass., in 1991.”The first Elizabeth Grady opened on Newbury Street in Boston in 1983,” said Coscia. “I met the owner, John Walsh, when I was finishing my MBA at Northeastern. It was a perfect match.” Coscia admitted she had no background in the spa business, but did have a good, solid business background.
“I just knew, right then and there, I had to make the leap and just do it,” said Coscia. “I’ve never looked back.”
Finding a location for the Portsmouth salon wasn’t easy. Coscia said she did her research and looked around. When this location became available, she jumped at it. It was a perfect fit, she said, and she had the second floor gutted to make it the ideal salon and spa.
“It’s very peaceful up here, which is how I wanted it,” said Coscia. “Our clients come to not only get a facial, pedicure, manicure or massage, but to take time out and relax.”
Her male clientele is growing, Coscia said. “Mothers send their teenage sons to us who have facial problems. Men come to us for massage and pedicures. It is very intimate and private, and this is what men like, as do women.”
Elizabeth Grady sells its own line of products that are developed by its own research and development department.
“We don’t waste money on packaging,” said Coscia. “We don’t use exterior packaging, which is one way to help the environment. Our line of body products and makeup is all mineral based.”
Coscia said most of her customers are discovering her salon by word of mouth and direct mail. One client tells another, and so it goes.
“Summer is a great time for body and facial work,” said Coscia. “We do every kind of waxing there is, plus body buffing and pedicures.”
The Elizabeth Grady product line also features a new sunscreen that mists on the body. It has the scent of citrus and ginger and there is no oil to clog the pores.
Coscia said the sunscreen is perfect for people with sensitive skin. The sunscreen dries fast, with no stickiness.
“Our clients love our Dead Sea salts body rub,” said Coscia. “It gets rid of all the dead skin cells and actually enhances your tan, making it last longer and look more vibrant.”
There are special savings available now on the summertime facial, Tropical Fusion. This uses papaya enzymes, a raspberry serum and a mandarin mask. After the facial, the skin is refreshed and hydrated.
The Elizabeth Grady salon and spa has a full-time staff of seven. In addition to the spa services, the salon sells body lotions, moisturizers and a full line of makeup.
“Our products are so good for the skin,” said Coscia. “We go by the notion that less is more and it works, as the product is so pure and mineral-based.”
In addition to individual services, Elizabeth Grady has a large reception area. The staff offers private parties, trunk shows and private showings.
“We do birthday parties, girls’ night out and lots more,” said Coscia. “This is a really growing area of ways people can have fun together and get something out of it.
“We also have companies who use us to reward their employees,” she said. “It’s really fun and the people learn something, too.”
Coscia is adamant about good skin care and body care. She says it all add to a complete sense of wellness.
“I think men and women need to be reminded to take time out for themselves and relax,” she said. “This is very important and a key component to overall wellness.”
Elizabeth Grady provides product gift bags, full-service catering and a private environment for private parties and events.
“Downtown Portsmouth was where I always wanted to open my second salon,” said Coscia. “I’m here now most of the time.
“There is such a sense of all the business owners working together and this really matters,” she said. “You don’t get this in many locales, but you do in Portsmouth.”
