Self care is the theme at STEAP, a new “luxury retreat for your feet” opened by local business owner Kim Pyron, proprietor of nearby Tea Rabbit’s Tea.
In fact, some of Tea Rabbit’s most popular blends are also critical ingredients in the luxurious hand-crafted foot soaks available to Pyron’s guests at STEAP, which is also located in downtown Dahlonega on South Chestatee Street.
From the meticulously-crafted and heated blends of all-natural botanicals, healing clays and essential oils that fill the copper basins to the soft mood lighting and well-appointed decor of the surroundings, every detail is tailored to create a “sole-soothing” experience for ladies and gentlemen alike.
“We create a place for you to come and relax, leave the mundane at the door, and celebrate yourself … In here we encourage you to turn your phone off, ‘sip back’ and relax, and take care of yourself,” Pyron explained.
“It’s going to have an immediate, full-body impact,” she said of a STEAP soak.
Pyron said more people are embracing self care as a valuable supplement to regular health care.
“We wanted to elevate that, and make it as luxurious as we could … We carry high-end, exclusive self care products: bath products, candles, perfumes. We have great gifts [for others] and gifts for yourself, which I think is really, really important,” Pyron added.
KEY INGREDIENTS
Pyron said teas from Tea Rabbit’s, which is located just two doors down and has been open for nearly six years now, are a “tremendous part” of STEAP’s ingredient list, as are other botanicals like rose petals, orange pieces, peppermint and cinnamon.
“We drink tea for health reasons. But also, too, if you soak your feet in tea it’s an anti-inflammatory, it’s an antioxidant, it’s anti-stress–so that’s what our goal is: it’s to pair you with something,” Pyron said.
She said STEAP soaks also utilize coconut oil, Epsom salts and gorgeous clays for moisturizing the skin.
Once a guest makes their service selection, a technician prepares the special soak and wheels it out in hand-hammered copper basins that can accommodate a men’s shoe size of up to 14.
“We chose copper because it’s anti-microbial and because it’s gorgeous,” Pyron explained.
Foot soaks also include reflexology services to increase relaxation.
“You apply pressure to certain points and it will help other parts of your body relax … When you finish an experience here you’re going to sleep better, your back will be more relaxed, you’ll be less stressed. So we focus on those areas of your hands and feet to do that,” Pyron continued.
She said the genesis of STEAP came from a desire to transfer her tea shop’s elegant atmosphere to the realm of professional relaxation.
“There are other places that do this. I’ve been to one in North Carolina, but it wasn’t my vibe,” Pyron said.
SOOTHING SERVICES
STEAP offers relaxation packages at a variety of price points, starting at $59 for a walk-in “Petite Steap” that includes a 30-minute express soak and 20 minutes of hands-on reflexology services.
“When you come in you get to pick your package and your experience. And the difference in the experience is basically longer time and a few different ingredients,” Pyron explained.
The next decision guests make is to choose a foot soak.
“London Fog, for example: we pour warm milk in it. Remember, Cleopatra soaked in milk for her skin,” she said.
Pyron said STEAP takes the individual needs of each client into consideration.
“We try to work with our guests and our clients to try to give them an experience that’s going to be the best fit for them,” Pyron said. “For example, we ask if you’re pregnant. You don’t rub on pregnant women’s ankles. You don’t drink hibiscus tea when you’re pregnant, so we encourage them not to use hibiscus, even though it’s not going to matter … For pregnant women and people who are sensitive, we use milk and oatmeal.”
There are also “off-menu” offerings as well, like an icy soak for long-distance runners, to help decrease inflammation.
In addition to packages for individuals and couples, STEAP can also host group events and celebrations, like weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and even group team-building activities.
Pyron said she can assemble custom packages to meet almost any need. While up to eight people can soak at a time, there is a separate lobby and courtyard area to accommodate additional guests while they wait for their turn to relax.
ORIGINAL OFFERINGS
STEAP also offers memberships that provide discounted soak times and discounts on all the products in the store.
“And my favorite part about it is that you can bring someone with you. I will give a guest of yours a discount when they come with you,” Pyron said, noting that she wanted to make STEAP accessible for couples.
“I’ve also got people that are members who do it in tandem: one person does it one month, and the the next person does the next month,” she added.
In addition to a regular military discount, Pyron said beginning next week STEAP will host ‘Love our Locals’ days on Thursdays, and will offer specials that will change weekly.
“It may be a discounted steap, longer times–we want to keep it fresh and exciting,” she continued.
Other opportunities include “Date Night” packages that include appetizers and drinks at a local restaurant, as well as custom packages for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day that can be given as gifts.
Ultimately, however, Pyron said STEAP is for “anybody that has a stressful job” or “anybody that stands on their feet.”
“We abuse our feet. We’ll put lotion on our hands, we’ll condition our hair, but we forget them. They’re neglected. And we want to remedy that,” she concluded.