Body, Mind and Spirit - Ellinwood Day Spa Provides Rejuvenation with European Experience

Sharon Schartz remembers that some people thought she was nuts to pursue a dream of opening a European spa in little ol’ Ellinwood, Kansas. Even her husband, Brian, had his doubts. But Schartz had a feeling the timing was right and now Rejuvenation Inc. is just a few weeks away from its fifth anniversary.     

“We already had the building and Brian remodeled it,” Schartz recalled. “Once we got going with it, he too became excited about the project and was so supportive. If it wasn’t for Brian, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.”

Rejuvenation opened Feb. 28, 2003, at 504 E. Santa Fe in Ellinwood. Its association with Repechage, a company based in New York, allows the

destination spa to offer the same services as those offered in plush resorts and metropolitan areas.

The Repechage line of products and services include skin care, facials, seaweed body wraps, massages and body therapy with sea stones.

“We are all seaweed based,” Schartz said. “These treatments are recommended for relief of stress, chronic fatigue, circulatory problems, cellulite, dermatological problems and as a way to maintain wellness.

“Seaweed is not a fad,” Schartz added. “It has been around since Biblical times.”

Owning a salon and/or spa has been a long-time dream, which began to take shape early in Schartz’s cosmetology career. She earned her degree 20 years ago and has a passion for the aesthetic side of the profession.

“I just had a feeling it would work,” Schartz recalled. “There is no place like this in the immediate area. I enjoy people and I knew it would fulfill me. Helping people through the spa treatments is very rewarding.”

The Rejuvenation venture jumped off the drawing board when Schartz attended a conference in Dallas where spa-related companies showcased their wares and services. Repechage was one of those companies and it stood out among the rest.

“Their classes are taught by medical doctors,” Schartz explained, noting she successfully completed the company’s two-week school in New York. “We had to pass a 10-page essay test at the end of the school."

Head to Toes – Lyndi Rosenberg receives a four-layer facial and peppermint sea twist body treatment in the Facial Room at Rejuvenation Inc. from owner Sharon Schartz. Rosenberg was wrapped in seaweed and peppermint oil wrap, then covered in a Mylar sheet and warm thermal blanket.  The four-layer facial comprises layer upon layer of pure fresh seaweed, honey and almond scrub, and a cool seaweed mask followed by a warm mineral mask with a facial massage.

Some of the most popular services are four-layer facials, pedicures, massages and the peppermint sea twist, which is a slimming body-shaping treatment that combines peppermint oil with seaweed to stimulate, rejuvenate and purify the skin.

Other services and products include, but certainly are not limited to a variety of spa packages, honey body polish, thermal contour treatment, sea spa glow, back deep pore cleansing and purifying, hydrotherapy, sauna steam, sunless tanning, Swedish massage, aromatherapy massage, raindrop technique, hot stone massage, cosmetics, reflexology, hair salon, facial and body waxing, nutritional supplements, and foot and hand treatments.

Expert Team – Rejuvenation, Inc. staff is left to right Michael Hill, massage therapist; Sharon Schartz, owner, cosmetologist and skin care specialist; and Lori Koester, nail technician. Schartz' daughter, Amie McAnulla, reflexologist and pedicurist, provides service for Rejuvenation about once a month.

Three full-time employees and one part-timer, including a licensed massage therapist, help the Rejuvenation clientele that consists mostly of women of all ages; men come in once in a while for massages, pedicures and manicures. Schartz hopes to hire more employees and build a three-station pedicure addition.

“People usually want to treat themselves for various reasons – relieve stress, look better, feel better,” Schartz said. “They like to come to a place that is peaceful, private, a getaway. It is comfortable and tranquil in the treatment rooms.

“It is something you can do for yourself,” Schartz elaborated. “You can take yourself out of the rat race of life. It is just about you and your overall sense of well-being.”

Manicure Maven – Vicki Batchman receives a set of acrylic nails from Lori Koester at the Nail Station in the Salon Room.

A trip to the spa, however, doesn’t have to be a solo venture. Businesses, sororities, wedding parties and other groups take advantage of the spa by reserving it for special occasions.

“A dentist’s office from Kansas City asked for our information and I sent it to them,” Schartz said. “I got them set up to stay in Great Bend and they spent a day at the spa and another day doing other things in Barton County. About 30 percent of our business is from out of towners.

“Any business can do this for their employees,” Schartz noted. “They can reserve us for the day and each employee can pick and choose the services they want.”

While Repechage is popular with all the customers, one of the key attractions to Schartz is the company’s dedication to continuing education. She has been to New York five times in her effort to keep up with innovations in products and services.

However, Schartz acknowledged she has fallen a little behind in the continuing education because she was diagnosed with breast cancer in mid-2006.

“The spa has kept me going,” Schartz said. “I have kept a good attitude and outlook. And I look forward to coming to work every day. I love what I do and our clientele means a lot to me. All of them have been very supportive.

“I am doing very well; my last surgery was in July 2007. I am finished with all my treatments,” Schartz continued. “I just take a little chemo pill every day. It is a wonderful feeling to be so blessed. I can honestly say the cancer was a setback but I take it one day at a time. Ask God to help you and He does.”

Customers Look and Feel Good with Special Spa Services

Julie Kramp of Ellinwood knows some people may think that only high-maintenance people take the time for massages, pedicures and manicures. But her experiences at Rejuvenation Inc. are much more than a little pampering.

Lyndi Rosenberg sits in the Pedicure Room receiving a pedicure and a back massage while sitting in the Pedi-throne chair with her feet soaking in a whirlpool tub.

“I seriously think it is a part of good health care and maintenance,” Kramp said. “I am excited when I arrive and everyone makes me feel so welcome. I don’t know if I can describe the comfort and wellness I feel after a pedicure. I always leave feeling calm and centered.”

Kramp has been patronizing Rejuvenation since it was opened by Sharon Schartz almost five years ago at 504 E. Santa Fe in Ellinwood. While her favorite services are pedicures and manicures, she also enjoys facials and massages from time to time and gets her hair cut, colored and styled regularly.

“There is a psychological edge to knowing my hair looks good, that it has a professional appearance and style,” Kramp said. “It saves a lot of time to have a style that I can do myself and get out the door quickly in the morning.”

In her role as Barton County Community College executive director of workforce training and economic development, Kramp is busy all day and attends many evening meetings. “So the convenience factor is big,” she said. “Having a place in Ellinwood that works around my schedule for appointments is helpful.”

Kramp also noted she appreciates the Rejuvenation gift certificates, which she gives and receives. “My husband is brilliant; he has figured out how much I appreciate their services.

Taken Away – The Hydrotherapy Treatment Room includes a Jacuzzi tub with lumbar jets. Customers take seaweed baths with minerals to detoxify, de-stress, and improve circulation. A light relaxing massage follows.

“It is so wonderful that we have a spa like this in Barton County,” Kramp added. “Sharon is not only a smart business- woman but is also very caring and sincere. She is a great role model for the entrepreneurial woman.”

Sherilyn McPherson of Sterling has been using Rejuvenation hair-salon services for three years, and noted it is worth the extra drive.

“Sharon is consistent and doesn’t try to talk me into anything I don’t want,” McPherson said. “She is never pushy and appointments are easy to schedule. She has bent over backwards to accommodate me.”