Sadona Salon + Spa, a new concept in full-service beauty and wellness services, celebrated its official opening at 15 West St. in downtown Annapolis with a gala ribbon cutting and open house on Jan. 4, 2017. The festivities attracted a number of elected officials, including Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides, Maryland House of Delegates Members Herbert H. McMillan and Sid A. Saab, and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Bob Burdon, as well as government dignitaries, area business leaders and members of the community.
Owned by longtime Annapolis-area resident Donna Brown, Sadona’s opening is viewed by civic leaders and business owners as an ideal addition to the city’s historic district as it will attract foot traffic from residents and visitors alike.
Sadona represents the culmination of Ms. Brown’s vision for a salon and spa destination that combines serenity, sophistication and Southern hospitality. But realizing that vision took more than 18 months of planning and hard work in order to transform the interior of a 104-year-old building into a stylish space that was both functional and welcoming. Her husband, Annapolis attorney Sam Brown, and their blended family of seven children encouraged her to pursue her dream.
Originally constructed as a bank, the 3,900-square-foot space most recently served as the headquarters for the Maryland Republican Party. When the building came on the market, Ms. Brown– already scouting for suitable locations to open her own salon and spa – knew it was perfect.
Undeterred by crumbling ceilings, scarred pine floors, a massive first-floor vault and a locked second-floor safe that was virtually immovable, she saw possibilities. Just three months after closing on the property in May 2015, she was ready to begin remodeling and embark on building a brand that would set the business apart from other area salons.
Ms. Brown enlisted experienced professionals to help bring her vision to life. Her four key project advisers were Sharyn Corry, a Washington, D.C.-based designer known for creating breathtaking interiors for commercial properties and residences owned by high-profile individuals in the District of Columbia, New York City and Florida; Masoud Sajjad of Ferro Design Group, a Baltimore County company specializing in salon and spa design, equipment and space planning; George Brown of All American Intelligent Solutions in Annapolis; and Judi Herrmann, the president and chief creative director of Herrmann Advertising | Branding | Technology in Annapolis.
Today the interior glistens in bronze, light blue/aqua, pearl, gray and metallic hues inspired by nature. The original tin ceiling and Georgia pine floors have been painstaking restored. The main floor salon features a stunning chandelier that perfectly complements the modern, contemporary vibe. The large vault has been expertly repurposed into a private space for color treatments and the once-locked safe is now a one-of-a-kind open shelving unit. The formerly cramped basement level is now home to a large gathering room that can accommodate bridal parties and other events, as well as areas for the staff of 15 to eat and work. A stairway to the second floor opens up to a heavenly spa area where clients immediately enter an environment designed to awaken all five senses.
The five-sensory experience is one that Ms. Brown developed through careful research of exceptional product lines and study of various cultures around the world. “While some salons rely on one or two elements, we wanted to stand apart from the crowd,” she explained. “Not only do we affect all five senses – taste, touch, sight, smell and hearing – we customize them to our guests’ preferences.”
A licensed esthetician with a track record of success in business, Ms. Brown’s hands-on attention to detail is also evident in her selection of committed, friendly and highly experienced stylists, massage therapists, estheticians and nail specialists to serve a discriminating clientele of women and men.
She also is a stickler for perfection when it comes to the products featured at the salon. Not only does she feature top-quality, American-made hair, face, body and nail products, she also insists they produce equally effective results.
For a complete menu of Sadona services, as well as hours and directions, please visit mysadona.com or call 410-263-1515.
