Lime and tangerine banners flutter in the breeze above the door of Spa Jema on First Avenue, an aura of Zen on an otherwise busy downtown street. Walk through the doors and the urban landscape fades away to reveal an organic day spa, a rose-petaled scented sanctuary for those seeking respite and relaxation.
The spa is the creation of Jennifer Blodgett, a Pittsburgh native who grew up in Upper St. Clair in the South Hills. Like so many before her, Blodgett's story is one of moving away and coming back to stay. She left to attend the University of Florida, but it was the Florida School of Massage Therapy where she discovered her true calling as a therapeutic masseuse. From there it was on to world travel as a spa technician, working on a cruise line and touring the Mediterranean, finally landing on the tropical shores of Hawaii.
When she came home, it was with a dream of opening a day spa in downtown Pittsburgh. Not just any spa, but one that offered a therapeutic retreat for mind, body and heart, based on a discipline that she had studied in Florida.
Her decision to both live and work in the city is an attraction that is increasingly being sought by young professionals as a growing number of educated 20-somethings are moving into cities in droves, choosing to both live and work there.
For Blodgett, moving back to Pittsburgh offered not only an opportunity to be closer to her family, but a chance to bring a unique service here that she felt the city sorely needed; a chic, upscale place offering the latest in massage, beauty and wellness treatments.
“When I walked into this building (on First Avenue), it struck me that this was where I was supposed to be,” says the diminutive, soft-spoken blond who clearly trusts her body to reveal life truths. “I've found that things go well when I listen to my heart and my gut. This building, the landlord and location felt right.”
With the help of her landlord, Dennis Spyra, a resident of FirstSide Condominiums across the street, she sealed the deal. Spyra has been instrumental in turning First Avenue around and plans to open a restaurant next door, she says.
The spa spreads out onto the first two floors with body ritual treatment rooms–spacious enough for couples–manicure and pedicure stations and a sauna. Blodgett lives on the third floor. The interior is bright and tropical–citrus comes to mind–with beautiful architectural bones in the winding staircases, brick fireplace and high ceilings. A quaint brick courtyard outside is perfect for wedding parties, she points out.
Spa services read like a menu with cocktails, delicious names like chocolate mocha mask, an organic champagne facial, a mojito infusion. There's Thai stretching, reflexology, and hot stone massage. Her products are natural, featuring the Eminence line.
Since opening on Light Up Night two years ago, business has grown. Spa Jema employs 10. It also attracts working professionals, local residents and visiting celebrities. (Katherine Hegel and Alex Pedifur are the only two she will acknowledge–so far.)
“It's all happened word-of-mouth,” she insists.
Of course Woofie, her Bichon Frise running underfoot, thinks everyone is coming to see him. No one leaves without giving Woofie a belly rub.
The beauty of living downtown is the ability to walk everywhere, except when I'm out on a run, she says. Her favorite places to frequent are Bon Giorno for coffee, the Strip for groceries and fresh flowers and just about any restaurant, usually Nola in Market Square, Ceviche, Sonoma Grille and Bella Sera, her favorite dog-friendly restaurant.
Woofie prefers the Fairmont lobby where homemade dog biscuits are freely distributed.
“Although I was once a suburbanite, I'm a true city dweller now,” she says. “I love being surrounded by life. Pittsburgh is definitely becoming more residential as more people are drawn here. I'm excited about how the neighborhood is changing. There's so many opportunities here, especially for small businesses. It's a great place to be.”
DEB SMIT is Innovation and Jobs News editor for Keystone Edge sister publication Pop City. Send feedback here.
Photographs copyright Brian Cohen