'Meet me at the spa': a blessed grand opening in Niwot

While touring Blessings Day Spa (7960 Niwot Road, B9) during its grand opening celebration on June 19, more than once I found myself fantasizing about undergoing a treatment in one of its sumptuous rooms, my anxieties abandoned for a few hours at least. That's how welcoming the surroundings are at Niwot's newest oasis of relaxation, tucked into a cozy corner of Cottonwood Square.

A big part of that is owner Julie Stenz, a 14-year Niwot resident and registered aesthetician, who played a very gracious hostess to guests during the family-friendly celebration that also brought Stenz's own family together from across the country. Present for the festivities were her daughter, a recent CU-Boulder graduate, now living on the east coast, and Stenz's brother, from Utah, who rose extra early to make the homemade chocolate-peanut-butter cookies on offer. There was also homemade lemonade, provided by staff technician Shannon Reilly, and Stenz's husband was also on hand to lend his support.

Stenz's enthusiasm during the grand opening was impossible to miss, as she dispensed swag bags and free samples to newcomers, before leading them on a tour of the treatment rooms, each one warmly decorated and more inviting than the last. She first opened the doors to Blessings Day Spa in March, but kept limited hours due to ongoing pandemic restrictions. Now that conditions are improving county and state-wide, she is ready to expand her hours to 6 p.m. and add more staff.

Blessing's services are available by appointment only, and range from eyelash and eyebrow services, to waxing and sculpting, to facials, including their popular signature procedure.

"It includes everything," Stenz said. "So double cleanse, exfoliation, hydration, everything."

The spa also offers several lines of skin care products, including those that treat acne. Also on offer is a new facial method, the Guinot Hydradermie Lift, that has Stenz and Blessings in exclusive company.

"It's a brand new machine, and there are only three in Colorado," she said. "It's microcurrent, a natural form of lifting and tightening. It's done in a series, and it has amazing results. It's number one in all of France."

Blessings offerings don't stop at skin care, however. The Spa will also be offering tarot card readings and tai chi sessions on Sundays.

Though it's been a whirlwind few months since she opened, Stenz is grateful for the support of the Niwot Business Association and its members during her first few weeks. She is now looking forward to a busy summer, which includes a booth at the NBA's Honey Bee Harvest Festival on Aug. 28, where she will have honey-based skin care products on offer.

In the meantime, Stenz said she hopes to provide Blessings' clients with a place to unwind, find tranquility, and leave feeling beautiful, whatever that means to them. In parting, she reminded me of the spa's motto and guiding ethos.

"I like to tell people that Blessings Spa is a place where east meets west, science meets nature, and friends meet friends."

For more information about Blessings Day Spa and its services, visit niwotblessings.com.