led light: Des Moines roll call
JOEANNE BOECKMANN
REGISTER COLUMNIST
May 15, 2006
From beauty shops to gas pumps, metro area pops
Des Moines seems to continue its quest to offer what some larger metropolitan areas in other states offer. This week I've included news about a spa that offers LED lights — light-emitting diodes — light therapy, something I've been told has been promoted by Oprah Winfrey on her TV show. It's supposed to be good for the skin.
Then there are the new sand volleyball courts preparing to open on Douglas Avenue. Now's the time to gather your friends to form a team.
Read on for more.
***
Refine Studios is a new spa at 6429 University Ave. in Windsor Heights that is having a grand opening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. There will be offers worth 20 percent off any service of $100 or more.
Refine Studios offers electrolysis, permanent makeup, massage, needle dermabrasion and photo light rejuvenation or LED light therapy.
Photo light therapy stimulates and regenerates skin cells and promotes healing of conditions such as rosacea, acne, wrinkles and broken capillaries, said spa owner Michelle Heintz.
Heintz is a native Iowan whose specialty is permanent makeup. She attended Iowa School of Beauty, was a makeup artist for the cosmetic company Shiseido, and represented a skin care line for Donna Karan while living in Colorado.
Also at the spa are Sunny Gilmartin, who was owner of the New You electrolysis clinic in Clive, and massage therapist Kenny Nulph.
Heintz said the spa is in a house with a homey feel, thanks to a fireplace and lofted, open wood-beamed ceilings.
What's unusual about Refine Studios is that eight or fewer people can reserve the spa for a party. Participants can put on robes and slippers and receive various spa services, and arrange for or bring in beverages and hors d'oeuvres.
Heintz said at least three weeks notice is required for that.
Clients schedule their own appointments online at least two days in advance at www.refinestudios.com, or call 577-0553 to book within 48 hours. Heintz is still fine-tuning the Web site, so clients may want to call this week.
***
Volley's Volleyball and Grill, the sand courts being constructed next to Plaza Lanes Bowling Alley at 2701 Douglas Ave., will be ready for their debut June 5, when the first league teams begin play.
The Money Shot, a fundraiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization, is also planned for June 10 and 11.
Registration is being accepted for league play for coed, men's and women's teams of four and six players and men's and women's doubles, said Randy Thompson, the owner of the Plaza Lanes and Trophy's Sports Bar & Grill, who is building the sand volleyball courts.
Leagues play lasts 12 weeks. Nine-week sessions for youths in middle school and high school are also forming.
The entry fee for the Money Shot fundraiser is $75 for coed, men's and women's teams of six, and $40 for doubles. Cash prizes will be awarded and first place wins a keg party.
The courts will be lighted, and they will have a sound system. They also will be surrounded by a tropical environment, Thompson said.
Call 255-1111.
***
Hair on Hubbell is a newer salon at 4351 Hubbell Ave. The salon's stylists are Cathy Murray-Wilson and Lisa Mackin. Both previously worked a combined five years at another east-side salon before opening Hair on Hubbell.
They offer full service for hair - including color and perms - and waxing.
The salon is next to Scott's TV & Appliances.
Call 262-2070.
***
Dahl's Food Mart on Aurora Avenue and Merle Hay Road is putting an outbuilding on its lot, one reader noted. He thought it looked like a gas station might be going in there.
He's right.
Dahl's Fuel will begin flowing in August at that location. It will also be a convenience store and carwash.
The company said it also plans to add gasoline at several other locations, where space permits.
***
It appears that Boem's Eurocakes at 3811 Douglas Ave. is closed.
The shop was open only a few months. Before that, Granny's Frozen Custard was at that site.
***
Money Mailer of Des Moines, the direct mail marketing company for small businesses and professionals, is now owned by Bill Downing. He bought the Money Mailer franchises for the east and west sides of the metro area from two franchisees who brought the California-based company here in 2005.
The address is 7551 Aspen Drive in West Des Moines. Call 779-2455.
***
Plans to reopen the pizzeria in Locust Mall Food Court have been delayed. Basil's Pizzeria was sold and will reopen under a new name. No indication of when that will be.
***
Noah's Ark Restaurant, 2400 Ingersoll Ave., which was shut down after a fire there Feb. 18, expects to reopen next week. Owner Jim Lacona originally said he was hoping to reopen this week.
JOEANNE BOECKMANN
REGISTER COLUMNIST
May 15, 2006
From beauty shops to gas pumps, metro area pops
Des Moines seems to continue its quest to offer what some larger metropolitan areas in other states offer. This week I've included news about a spa that offers LED lights — light-emitting diodes — light therapy, something I've been told has been promoted by Oprah Winfrey on her TV show. It's supposed to be good for the skin.
Then there are the new sand volleyball courts preparing to open on Douglas Avenue. Now's the time to gather your friends to form a team.
Read on for more.
***
Refine Studios is a new spa at 6429 University Ave. in Windsor Heights that is having a grand opening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. There will be offers worth 20 percent off any service of $100 or more.
Refine Studios offers electrolysis, permanent makeup, massage, needle dermabrasion and photo light rejuvenation or LED light therapy.
Photo light therapy stimulates and regenerates skin cells and promotes healing of conditions such as rosacea, acne, wrinkles and broken capillaries, said spa owner Michelle Heintz.
Heintz is a native Iowan whose specialty is permanent makeup. She attended Iowa School of Beauty, was a makeup artist for the cosmetic company Shiseido, and represented a skin care line for Donna Karan while living in Colorado.
Also at the spa are Sunny Gilmartin, who was owner of the New You electrolysis clinic in Clive, and massage therapist Kenny Nulph.
Heintz said the spa is in a house with a homey feel, thanks to a fireplace and lofted, open wood-beamed ceilings.
What's unusual about Refine Studios is that eight or fewer people can reserve the spa for a party. Participants can put on robes and slippers and receive various spa services, and arrange for or bring in beverages and hors d'oeuvres.
Heintz said at least three weeks notice is required for that.
Clients schedule their own appointments online at least two days in advance at www.refinestudios.com, or call 577-0553 to book within 48 hours. Heintz is still fine-tuning the Web site, so clients may want to call this week.
***
Volley's Volleyball and Grill, the sand courts being constructed next to Plaza Lanes Bowling Alley at 2701 Douglas Ave., will be ready for their debut June 5, when the first league teams begin play.
The Money Shot, a fundraiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization, is also planned for June 10 and 11.
Registration is being accepted for league play for coed, men's and women's teams of four and six players and men's and women's doubles, said Randy Thompson, the owner of the Plaza Lanes and Trophy's Sports Bar & Grill, who is building the sand volleyball courts.
Leagues play lasts 12 weeks. Nine-week sessions for youths in middle school and high school are also forming.
The entry fee for the Money Shot fundraiser is $75 for coed, men's and women's teams of six, and $40 for doubles. Cash prizes will be awarded and first place wins a keg party.
The courts will be lighted, and they will have a sound system. They also will be surrounded by a tropical environment, Thompson said.
Call 255-1111.
***
Hair on Hubbell is a newer salon at 4351 Hubbell Ave. The salon's stylists are Cathy Murray-Wilson and Lisa Mackin. Both previously worked a combined five years at another east-side salon before opening Hair on Hubbell.
They offer full service for hair - including color and perms - and waxing.
The salon is next to Scott's TV & Appliances.
Call 262-2070.
***
Dahl's Food Mart on Aurora Avenue and Merle Hay Road is putting an outbuilding on its lot, one reader noted. He thought it looked like a gas station might be going in there.
He's right.
Dahl's Fuel will begin flowing in August at that location. It will also be a convenience store and carwash.
The company said it also plans to add gasoline at several other locations, where space permits.
***
It appears that Boem's Eurocakes at 3811 Douglas Ave. is closed.
The shop was open only a few months. Before that, Granny's Frozen Custard was at that site.
***
Money Mailer of Des Moines, the direct mail marketing company for small businesses and professionals, is now owned by Bill Downing. He bought the Money Mailer franchises for the east and west sides of the metro area from two franchisees who brought the California-based company here in 2005.
The address is 7551 Aspen Drive in West Des Moines. Call 779-2455.
***
Plans to reopen the pizzeria in Locust Mall Food Court have been delayed. Basil's Pizzeria was sold and will reopen under a new name. No indication of when that will be.
***
Noah's Ark Restaurant, 2400 Ingersoll Ave., which was shut down after a fire there Feb. 18, expects to reopen next week. Owner Jim Lacona originally said he was hoping to reopen this week.
