If it's hard to imagine high-end hedonism happening on Broad Street in Bloomfield, you can be forgiven. The area known as the North Center is a mishmash of nail salons and pubs, anchored by a McDonald's and a CVS. But Lerrick Santos and Oliver Dimaya have carved a brand new spa out of the former Village Cupboard, and both the opulence and the prices may have you thinking you're actually on Church Street in Montclair.
Santos was an executive at Estee Lauder for 17 years, and got tired of hopscotching around the globe. Dimaya was a high-end optician, finding just the right specs for the Barbara Walters crowd. They have created Flic Spa as a place to practice both traditional and unusual forms of massage, including the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, an "ancient royal massage." That's one of the three two-hour Pacific massages that take place in the Raindance Room (left), which start with a sauna and end with a rain-like spritz from overhead. Not cheap: $195.
Not indulgent enough? The three-hour $395 luxury package includes sauna, rosemary scalp massage, aromatherapy, lemon sugar glow hand and foot treatment, massage and raindrop therapy.
And don't forget the complimentary flavored water or herbal tea.
Yes it sounds crazy, but Santos and Dimaya have created an antique-filled oasis on Broad Street, and they're as personable as any entrepreneurs we've encountered. We haven't tried any of the treatments yet, but two of us have birthdays coming up, and we've left broad hints with our husbands. Flic is offering 20% to all customers for the month of December.
But is Flic Spa enough to turn the North Center around? There's a new Indian restaurant, Aroma, going in across the street, but a tipster complains that "The Town Pub is still a raging eyesore after its recent makeover."
Damage to one of the doorways has never been fixed, and the styrene filling in the insulation is leaking out. The peach colored stucco is marred by dirty heel prints made by smokers and cell-phoners. The old Thai restaurant location has its window papered over. A plastic sign twists in the wind.
Well, Bloomfielders, you tell us. Are luxury and Broad Street compatible?
Flic Spa. 388 Broad Street, Bloomfield. 973.429.FLIC. 11 am to 8 pm. Tuesday through Sunday.
Pubs? The many other restaurants besides Vinnie's and Angelo's include Pandan, Brookside Thai and Bohemia. An Indian eatery called Aroma will be replacing Savory Cafe and another called Natraj will be opening down the street. Perhaps you need some high-end specs.