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Owner Emily Rapp offers over 40 face and body packages at The Ritzy Flat salon.
Heather Mosley | SBJ
Owner Emily Rapp offers over 40 face and body packages at The Ritzy Flat salon.

Business Spotlight: Stepping Back in Time

The Ritzy Flat salon takes inspiration from 1920s decor and empowerment

Posted online

Located on the second floor of the Holland building downtown, The Ritzy Flat LLC beauty and aesthetician salon features dark, neutral colors, antique decor and smooth jazz music emanating from a vintage record player. Owner Emily Rapp says a comfortable, homelike atmosphere is the goal for her salon, which was inspired by the 1920s.

“The ’20s were full of women gaining empowerment from the right to vote to changing fashion standards totally,” Rapp says. “I really wanted to bring that romance and architecture.”

The Ritzy Flat is a body care salon offering facials, waxing, lash lifts and massages. Rapp says most of her clientele book facials, specifically for acne and anti-aging treatments. With a majority female client base, she says she’s motivated by empowering them to look and feel their best.

“I see a lot of clients that are wanting to see results from struggling with cystic acne or just wanting to learn how to take care of their skin,” says Rapp. “I struggled with cystic acne over a decade ago, going to multiple dermatologists and never finding a solution.”

Rapp says her personal experience combined with schooling at Paul Mitchell the School Springfield makes her a well-rounded expert on acne care.

“I want to be there for people who struggle with acne. It’s so difficult and it is the first thing people see and judge you on,” says Rapp.

Because of weather and how the sun affects skin, Rapp says her busy season is September through April.

“Using treatments like chemical peels and microneedles in summer can cause a risk of damaging the barrier of the skin due to the sun,” says Rapp. “People mess up and forget to put (sunscreen) on.”

To avoid skin damage, Rapp says she waits until winter to start treating those clients.

Treatments last one to three hours, and Rapp says she could book up to nine facials a day, with treatments ranging $10 to $180 depending on length and type. All appointments come with a beverage and a brief consultation with Rapp to establish the goals of the session. She says she creates a custom treatment plan for her clients, which is close to 200 regulars that are seen every four to six weeks.

Rapp also customizes an aromatherapy blend of oils to be used during treatments, which are made by fellow downtown business Soap Refill Station LLC.

“I think it’s more fun to expose clients to other smells besides lavender or eucalyptus,” says Rapp.

Hailey Magnus works for the Downtown Springfield Association and says that’s where she first heard about The Ritzy Flat. Being a customer for a little over a year, Magnus says she tries to go every few months for a massage.

“They are the relaxing breath I’ve needed,” says Magnus, giving high marks for “both the space and the experience.”

Bailey Weaver has been coming to The Ritzy Flat since January and says the treatment called Augha’s Bliss was the first facial she had done. Rapp recommends it as a first treatment for new clients.

“She’s incredible,” Weaver says of Rapp. “I went into the Flat in tears and depressed; I left with luxury everywhere from the aesthetic to the knowledge and trust I have in her.”

Rapp says she has another year on her Holland building lease, but she does have plans on expanding, noting she wants to eventually add more types of services. The goal of creating a comfortable and relaxing space would remain. Lining a wall on the spa is a series of black-and-white photographs, and while some were found at flea markets, most are photographs of her family through the generations.

Recently marking her second year in business, Rapp says she tries to change something each year. This year, The Ritzy Flat is offering a new facial treatment using a hydrodermabrasion machine, which Rapp describes as “getting a really deep exfoliation while being really gentle.”

Declining to disclose revenue, Rapp says The Ritzy Flat is a product of passion. Working in the corporate world prior to starting the business, Rapp says that she wanted to do something that gave her fulfilment.

“My favorite part of my job is watching people bloom and learn to love themselves in whatever stage they are in,” Rapp says.

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