Spa Christine of Broadway
11/30/2006
See article as it appeared on South Boston Online
By Rick Winterson

The full name is "Spa Christine & Boutique More". It combines a complete day spa with a boutique full of unusual, ever-changing gifts (including gifts to yourself).

What's in a name? Why "Spa Christine"? Well, the partners who own and operate Spa Christine & Boutique More at 699 East Broadway (corner of K Street) are Larry Baron and Bryan Szela. They knew a remarkable woman named Christine LeBlanc, who battled breast cancer. She fought it for seven years. During that time, she never lost her courage, her grace, or her belief in life and love. The Spa's name honors her memory and all of those who have suffered from breast cancer.

Spa Christine & Boutique More is based on an unusual concept. Larry Baron is well known in this area for his skill as a hairdresser. He has 30 years in the craft, and has had a total of five salons. He and Bryan Szela entered into a business partnership and created their Spa & Boutique, with Bryan functioning as the enterprise's general manager.

They have completely (and tastefully) renovated 699 East Broadway, extending the day spa services up to the second level. The Spa sells a number of well known hair and beauty products, but more than that, Bryan and Larry have created an ever-changing urban boutique inside the Spa that purveys unusual gifts of all kinds.

Spa Christine's personnel offer many years of expertise to their clients. Licensed Aesthetician Lori Rua brings chemistry and medical academics to Spa Christine, along with 20 years experience. She custom-designed all the Spa's skin and body care treatments. Sonia Autry is well known for waxing and makeup. She also sings lead in a rock group. Cherrisse Houston is a senior stylist who boasts 20 years of experience. She has toured Italy to study and teach her own techniques. Shannon Harvey and Shawanda Steed are both licensed massage therapists (LMT). As LMTs, they work in all massage modalities, including hot stone massage.

Space doesn't permit listing all of the hair, skin, and body treatments available at the Spa. Suffice to say you can select from well over 50 alternatives. And for the Christmas season, Bryan and Larry have put together a wide range of Holiday Spa packages that would make a memorable gift for someone close to you. Take a look at the list on the service counter when you stop in for a visit.

It is the "Boutique More" part of Spa Christine & Boutique More that really lends a touch of the unique to Larry and Bryan's enterprise. You'll be fascinated by how each item combines carefully crafted beauty with strength and practicality. It's worth a drop-in just to take a quick look. In the display of table implements across from the entrance, see if you can find the salt and pepper shakers. Hint: they're quietly elegant – not obvious. Check out the wood-wicked aromatherapy diffusers, or crafted artifacts from places as distant as the Czech Republic and Australia. The offerings are constantly changed. If you see something you like, Larry and Bryan suggest you buy it right away. They may have replaced it with a new item by your next visit.

As you might expect, the Boutique also vends skin, hair and beauty products. Their brand names include "Bubble & Bumble", "June Jacobs", "Glymed", "Wella", "Sexy Hair", "pevonia", and "Jane Iredale" (mineral-based fine makeup). Boutique More prices span a wide range, of course, but if you want something small – a stocking stuffer or an inexpensive hostess gift - you can quickly find a tasteful, unusual item. The price: not much more than the cost of a pack of cigarettes.

In addition to his hairdressing skills, Larry Baron is a traveler, a linguist, and a competent piano player. Bryan Szela has a B.S. in Psychology from UMass Boston and customer service background in hotels, restaurants, and real estate.

Both are devoted to the goal of eliminating breast cancer through the Susan B. Komen Foundation. Bryan completed a 60-mile walk on the Foundation's behalf that raised $5,000. Their boutique section stocks "A Woman of Value" ceramics by Outi, which dedicates a portion of sales to breast cancer research and prevention.

Locally, they have begun to organize local merchants to make East Broadway a "destination". The new shop, Habit, is participating, as are established standbys Calnan's Terrie's, and Cranberry Café.

Spa Christine & Boutique More is an easy and convenient way to meet some of your Christmas shopping needs this year. Their hours are TUE to FRI, 10 to 8; SAT, 8 to 5; and SUN, 10 to 4. Phone them at (617)269-0019.

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