Feb 4th, 2008

San Diego, CA
In just a little over two years since its Grand Opening, Spa Velia, an Old World luxury day spa located between the Columbia and Little Italy districts of San Diego, has accomplished a lot - especially when many small businesses are struggling. Instead of cutting back, Spa Velia has expanded by partnering with the luxurious, newly renovated US GRANT Hotel to offer in-room spa treatments. And to support its consistent growth, especially in the areas of massage and esthetics, Spa Velia has tripled its staff size since first opening its doors in October of 2005.

"Not many businesses open a second location on their one year anniversary," co-owner Chris Guimond says, referring to the arrangement with the US GRANT. Guimond, along with fellow owners Dana Stallings and Jody Rogers, attributes much of the growth to the staff's ability to "Walk the Wellness Talk", an internal slogan referring to every employee of Spa Velia being dedicated to embracing a healthier, more balanced lifestyle both on the job and at home.

That philosophy has directly paid off both in terms of past revenue growth and expectations for 2008. Between June 2006 and June 2007, the spa enjoyed a 100% revenue increase in massage and esthetics, with body treatments and retail sales up a robust 75%. Guimond is projecting 50% growth this year, which bucks the national slightly downward trend for the U.S. Spa Industry as a whole (see statistics at the end of this release).

Spa Velia also ended last year on a positive note by being named Day Spa Magazine's 2007 Diamond Day Spa of the Year Award winner, one of the most prestigious national honors in the industry. Linda Kossoff, e-Media Director of Creative Age Publications (publisher of the magazine) says, "Spa Velia was an outstanding example of a spa that gets "A" marks in every area. We found nothing but raves from clients and reviewers alike. They showed a wonderful combination of great service, warmth, compassion, and innovation in business that left no doubt why they were selected."

Other honors include being selected Best Day Spa 2007 by San Diego CitySearch voters, and awarded CitySearch Editor's Choice for Best Massage 2007. The Spa was even featured on a recent episode of Real Housewives of Orange County.

The Spa's owners are quick to point to a loyal customer base as a reason for the awards, with about 80% of the clientele returning on a regular basis. That number doesn't surprise Guimond who says, "Once people come, they love it and they want to return." The other 20% of customers are leisure and business travelers, and Spa Velia's "regulars" are evenly split - half women and half men, unusual for the industry.

Based on such a strong start, Guimond, Stallings and Rogers are exploring the possibility of expanding the Spa Velia brand into other markets in the region.

Spa Velia is nestled between the Columbia/Little Italy Districts of downtown San Diego, directly across from The W Hotel. The Spa is owned by a team of three entrepreneurs, two women and one man, who shared a vision to create an intimate, old world luxury spa, unlike any other spa destination available in America's Finest City. Since its Grand Opening in October of 2005, Spa Velia's business has continued to grow steadily, as city dwellers, business types and downtown hotel guests alike discover this unique, old world escape from the stress of daily life. Spa Velia is located at 401 West A Street, Suite 180 in San Diego (619.235.0000). Visit www.spavelia.com for more information.