Spa owners don't wax poetic over Buffalo Grove parks' plan

A spa operated by the Buffalo Grove Park District may expand its services if the village board allows a new use.

The district is looking to have waxing and eyebrow-dying services at the Vitality Spa, which is inside the fitness center.

Mike Rylko, executive director of the park district, said during a village board meeting Monday that the spa staff has taken informal polls of users who have said they would use the waxing services if they were offered.

However, owners of several spas in the area said they fear that the park district, which takes taxes from the public, is encroaching on services they already provide.

Marilyn Wagner, owner of Best Salon & Spa in Buffalo Grove, said waxing represents 40 percent of her spa business.

"I don't think it's necessary for the (park district) to go into the business of waxing," she said. She said so far, the district's spa hasn't had a large effect on her business but she is afraid of it infringing on such a large part of what her spa offers.

"If waxing is taken on by this spa, are they going to be opening a salon?" Wagner asked. "Are they going to be doing hair?"

Trustee Bruce Kahn said he wasn't sure that waxing contributes to the therapeutic nature of Vitality Spa, which was a matter that came under discussion in 2006 when the facility was first approved.

The park district countered this, pointing out that waxing is often the only means of hair removal for some customers and that lends itself to the spa's therapeutic nature.

Warren Michaels, owner of Michael Thomas Hair Salon & Day Spa in Buffalo Grove, said the spas and salons in town can only offer a certain category of business and don't have the luxury to diversify their services like the park district does.

"We don't have the type of financial backing that a health club would have," he said. "This is how we make our living."

However, Trustee Jeff Berman said what the park district is asking for is allowed under the criteria for special uses.

"I have a hard time finding a basis in the zoning law (to deny the park district)," he said.

Trustee Jeff Braiman agreed and said that he thinks the other spas in town will survive in the competitive market.

The board will consider an ordinance to allow the Vitality Spa to expand its services at the next meeting in two weeks.