Pictured is Esther Plevo, owner of Edward Anthony’s Spa located on US Hwy 6 in Portage.
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By Christine Hisick
When life gets rough and you’re feeling stressed out, don’t you like to seek some sort of escape from the everyday grind? Some say there’s nothing like a little bit of inspiration to get you going again. Some say that there’s nothing more healing than the human touch. There’s a place in Portage that provides both the inspiration and the touch, and you won’t have to go very far to find it. Edward Anthony’s Spa is that very place.
Esther Plevo is the owner of Edward Anthony’s, and she is an inspiration in herself. She launched the spa in February, 2005. It has been so successful that she was able to move to a better location on U.S. Highway 6 boasting signage reading EA Spa, and has even completely remodeled the new facility to create a more modern look.
As all businesses do, Plevo serves to make her a living, but making money wasn’t the motivation for her to open the spa. Motivated by something much more meaningful she said, “I opened it up in the memory of my son, Edward Anthony (Perez). He died of cancer at the age of 16. The spa is named after him.”
From spa services, to facials, to the aroma of candles that stimulate your mood, EA Spa is open Monday 12 – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Friday 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closed on Sunday. Gift certificates are also available.
Plevo knows what it’s like to be stressed out in tough times. When asked why she decided to open a spa she said, “My stress at that time motivated me. I was under stress, and I needed a personal massage and that personal touch.” But she wasn’t always able to get that personal touch, as she often had to wait. So that her guests never have to feel that way she says, “I always try to have someone available for walk ins to get the touch they need.”
The spa employs seven including nail techs, aestheticians and several massage therapists. The spa offers many services to its guests, such as facials, manicures, pedicures, chemical peels, massages and eyelash extensions that remain applied to the eye for months—a service not offered by other Portage spas.
Upon entering, one will hear the soft sounds of Indian flutes in the background, and be soothed by the light blues, pinks and chocolate browns that adorn her spa. Egyptian inspired decorating adds a mysterious ambience to the mix that is pleasing to the eye, and to the spirit.
As a minority, being a female business-owner, Plevo said she is very proud of her accomplishments in life. “I dropped out of high school in the 11th grade, but I went and got my G.E.D. anyway. I’m a tired sister, but I’m very proud of the accomplishments I’ve made.”
An inspiration to many, Plevo hopes to share her gifts with her guests. As for the future of the spa, Plevo explains that she would like to offer more services to hospices and people who are suffering from cancer, but that she’ll have to see what the future brings.
For the spa’s anniversary month in February, it’s offering a one hour Swedish massage for only $40. Where else can you escape for so very little, and receive so very much? This is one special package that cannot be denied—it has that personal touch.
Edward Anthony’s is located at 6457 U.S. Hwy. 6 in Portage. You can learn more about the spa by visiting www.edwardanthonyspa.com, or call (219) 762-3232.
