LAKE WYLIE --
A local mother found a creative and fun way to recycle, spend family time, and put her hot glue and imagination to work.
Cheri Cox of Clover opened Wee Spa, a girl’s spa and boutique that hosts dress-up tea parties for ages 2 to 13 and parties of up to 12.
“It’s just a place for little girls,” she said.
When her daughter, Abigail, turned 3 in September, Cox said she spent more than $500 on her daughter’s and friends’ day at the salon, hosting a tea party at home and more.
“I decided I could do it for less than that,” she said.
Three months later, she found a way to continue using the porcelain tea set. Cox opened Wee Spa, sharing space with Anna’s Alterations at Rivers Edge Pavilion, off Charlotte Highway.
“It just happened that quick,” she said.
Since then, Wee Spa, which is open for parties Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, has hosted more than 100 parties, about 10 parties a weekend.
“We’ve learned little things along the way,” Cox said. “You have to spend good money on nail polish, and chocolate facials over banana.”
With guests coming from as far away as Asheville, N.C., Cox said weekends now are booked into April.
“I think I’ll outgrow this place really fast,” she said.
The party options are growing, too. Cox said they offer various party packages starting at $99, that include dress up, pizza, pink “tea” and lemonade, with add-ons available like manicures and pedicures, and facials.
“Pedicures are a big hit,” Cox said, “and the hats and pearls, they get so into it.”
Thanks to interest from local experts inquiring, the spa also offers updos, limousine rides and photos.
Even with the outfits, Cox said, she’s had help.
“So many local people sewed those outfits,” she said.
Even the smallest details get local helping hands. Tracy Williams of York, owner of Tracy’s Sassy Bowtique, supplies children’s hair bows that also are for sale.
“I was really excited for her,” Williams said of the spa opening having learned of it from a customer. “I think it will be really good for the area.”
For sale there. So far doing pretty good.
She also gets help from about five local teenagers she hires to staff each party.
“For the most part I like to keep it local,” she said.
She’s adding Dolly and Me party packages, and though not party of the parties, recently added a little pink hair salon chair for cuts and styles.
“I’m constantly picking up ideas from customers and even strangers,” she said.
The decor, like the wallpaper of hot glued scrapbook paper and the pink couch she painted, are pieces she found new life for.
“This whole thing is like one big Pinterest explosion,” she said referring to the social networking service.
Throwing big parties, though, is nothing new for Cox, 41, who was born in Indian Land and grew up in York County.
“We always had the biggest parties on the block,” she said referring to her childhood parties.
Now, she’s hoping to inspire that same feeling and bring her family together. Even her 16-year-old son, Chase, will be helping out washing dishes.
“It’ll be nice to have us all together,” she said.
“We’re grinning from the time we get here until we leave,” she said of herself and her daughter. “You just can’t have a bad day.”
Want to know more?
Wee Spa is located at 4937 Charlotte Hwy., suite 112, Lake Wylie. Wee Spa hosts spa tea parties for girls. To book a party or for more information, call 704-691-9341, email cheri@weespa.com or visit www.weespa.com.
In Steele Creek
Shug-A-Bug Kids Spa (pronounced Sugar Bug) was opened in 2011 at 10823-B John Price Road by owner Tracey Stanford, offering similar services to Wee Spa like pedicures, manicures, facials and up-dos, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Plus there are party packages with cake, gift bags and limo add-ons available. These parties include pizza and dance session, and are for ages 3-14. Unlike Wee Spa, which includes dress up and tea party time, Shug-A-Bug is more like a spa resort party, complete with robes. Call 704-900-5214 for more information.
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