Pavia to Close and Pass Torch to Preston Wynne; Last Day is June 27, 2010

I am sad to announce that by the end of June 2010, Pavia will no longer be Pavia. We have struggled to stay afloat during the worsening economic conditions, and after a long battle, we have succumbed. We were just not able to earn enough to keep our space, and as a consequence, we lost our lease.

This is extremely traumatic for me and for my staff, as you can imagine, but there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. My friend, teacher, and mentor, Peggy Wynne Borgman, owner of Preston Wynne, and I have come to a great solution for our clients, staff, and wellness community. Preston Wynne has invited ALL Pavia employees to apply for employment there, and they have also volunteered to accept all unused Pavia gift certificates as payment for treatments there, allowing clients to use those over 2 visits (50% of the value of the remaining GC per visit), and they have asked me to go and set up a wellness program in their location. So truly, they are picking up the ball and running with it, and for that, I am extremely grateful.

I have to say, I must be an extremely stubborn person to have kept going as long as I did. There I was, at the end of my 7th month of pregnancy, holding down a high-tech consulting position, a husband, AND a spa, and I didn't want to let go of anything. I had to be served a notice of termination of tenancy for the end of June in order to let go of the spa - without it, I know I would have fought on like a determined soldier...or a dog with a bone....or a little kid with a favorite toy. It had to be yanked from me for me to see the bigger picture.

Far wiser people than me have said that at times like these, it's the Universe smashing you in the head with a "brick" to let you know that it's time to move on, there are other things in store. And far wiser people would not have waited for the brick to come a-smashing, but I am not one of those people. Like I said, they're far wiser.

Well, the brick has struck, and I'm now listening and paying attention. At first I resisted (yes, I'd call 2 weeks of crying and raging and sobbing and wailing, "resistance"), but now I am more or less at peace with it. I look forward to bringing our special brand of wellness and our community to Preston Wynne, and to being able to have time to spend with my new baby.

I just want to end by thanking all of those who have patronized Pavia, all those who have worked there, and all those I have met through owning the spa. You have each taught me something, and I will treasure the lessons forever. They were and are a huge part of my growth path. Thank you for blessing me by crossing my path, and I wish you all the best in life. You deserve it.

Love, Mare