Truly “Green” Mission at Spa Verde

Kathleen Finnerty had managed day spas for a number of years when she decided, in 2010, to open one that was totally “green.” Her mission was to use only products that were free of chemicals and contained no carcinogens.

“It was not as easy as I thought it would be,” she says. “It took a long time to research not only the ingredients in each of the products we would be using, but how they might affect our clients and staff. We also checked out the companies that produce the products, to be sure that their business practices were truly committed to protecting both people and the environment.”

Spa Verde (the Spanish word for green) is located at 7821 Hwy. 42 in Egg Harbor, sharing a building with Greens N Grains, a health food store and deli, and Ecotique, a yoga studio/organic clothing shop.

The boutique spa provides manicures, pedicures, hair services, skin care, waxing and massages in attractive, calm surroundings without any of the chemical smells often founds in hair and nail salons. There are 11 regular employees, with others on-call when a wedding or other event brings a group of clients in.

Finnerty, who has been a state-licensed aesthetician (skin care specialist) for 16 years, has a total commitment to the spa’s green mission. “Effective products don’t have to contain chemicals,” she says. “We are dedicated to protecting the health of both our clients and our employees. We even clean with baking soda and vinegar.”

It’s important, she says, that the spa took these steps on its own, because the body services industry is basically unregulated.

Finnerty says that the “green” spa is proving to be very popular, with more business than those she managed previously. Call 920.868.1597 for hours, an appointment or more information.