Newburyport, MA – February 23, 2016 – A decade ago, local residents Sharon Pattullo, a holistic massage therapist and her husband Don, a retired Andover police detective, were out for a walk when they passed a lovely but empty home on Titcomb Street. Sharon turned to Don and said, “Wouldn’t that be a perfect place for a spa?”
The three story home was soon divided into warm, inviting rooms for massage and facials, outfitted with sinks and mirrors for hair coloring and styling, and quiet spaces were created where people could enjoy tea or a relaxing foot bath while waiting for a massage or pedicure.
“We really wanted to create a sanctuary where woman and men could take a moment and truly let go of their worries,” says Sharon. “We designed the space and our services with relaxation and rejuvenation in mind. It’s really an experience for all five senses.”
“It’s an experience all right,” laughs Don. “If you had told me that me, a bald police detective, would enjoy running a spa and salon, I wouldn’t have believed you. But, it’s true.” He continued, “Sharon and I both love giving people a little something extra than just their service. We want it to be an experience they won’t have anywhere else and that memory will make them come back again and again.”
Sharon agreed, “I think we’ve enjoyed these past ten years because of the people. We have wonderful clients and a great staff that we look forward to working with every day. Our team works very hard to make a visit here a true experience for the client.”
When asked about working with a spouse they laughed and said that it can be challenging but they truly love working together. “We try to make family and loved ones a priority,” says Sharon who is sitting under a large, slightly aged portrait of her parents that has been hung above the registration desk since the day they opened.
“We opened Spa Paradiso and Salon on my mother, Bernadette’s, birthday. She inspired our logo. It was created by our close friend and internationally renowned illustrator, Tom Cooke.” Sharon goes on to say, “Even though both of my parents were gone, Tom wanted me to feel they were with me every day. The face in our logo is my mother’s, looking down from heaven, which is “paradiso” in Italian. My passion is in the name and my parents would be proud of what we’ve created here.”
“We’ve really been blessed,” Sharon continues, “Don and I had this dream but we wouldn’t be celebrating today without our community, loyal clients and our talented staff. I wish I could personally thank every single one.”
They laughed when asked what the next ten years will bring for their business. “Who knows,” said Sharon, “but we’re looking forward to them!”
