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After long careers in HR and television, Catherine and Michael Mirabella of Bohemia knew they wanted to go into business for themselves, preferably through a franchise.
They also knew they wanted to help people.
So they settled on a Hand & Stone massage and facial spa location that they opened earlier this year in the Bay Shore Commons plaza, where Super Stop & Shop is located.
They celebrated a grand opening on Wednesday.
“For me, it came down to this being a feel-good business,” said Catherine Mirabella. “I didn’t want to run something like [a transmission franchise], where you’re dropping money because your car needs to be fixed. I wanted something that could fix you. Someplace where people can leave feeling good about themselves and about their experience.”
That’s what Catherine had experienced with regular massages elsewhere, and she thought a Hand & Stone on the South Shore could help other people — but in an affordable way.
She also liked the vibe.
“I felt Hand & Stone offered more of a spa experience, where maybe the other [massage] places were more clinic-like,” she said.
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Hand & Spa works on a membership base, not unlike a gym, with 270 people and counting already signed up for Bay Shore.
After receiving a member-discounted treatment such as a massage ($59.95), hot stone ($79.95) or facial ($59.95) one time each, people can then sign up to be members.
From there, they commit to one discounted treatment a month — or two in one month and none the prior; the credits can accrue — and they can stop the monthly debits anytime.
“We can offer that spa experience for people who aren’t looking to spend a lot of money,” Catherine said. “And our membership is growing.”
Visit the website for more exact details.
The model appears to be working across the board at Hand & Stone, which started in New Jersey and is now based in Pennsylvania with over 300 locations across the U.S.
The Bay Shore location is a seven-room spa with four massage room, two estheticians’ rooms and a separate room for couples.
They currently work with 10 massage therapists and four estheticians, who perform the facials, and also offer hair removal and other services.
“It’s great to see folks investing their savings in these hometown, main street businesses,” said Suffolk Legislator Tom Cilmi, who was also on hand at Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting.
Donna Periconi, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bay Shore, said she was thrilled to welcome another exciting new businesses to the Bay Shore community.
Top: Michael and Catherine Mirabella cut the ribbon at their Hand & Stone massage and facial spa location Wednesday in Bay Shore. (Credit: Michael White)
