Robert Gold Salon and Spa

by NorthShoreMag.com

 

February 2009 — Some day spas have posh cafes, plus robes and designer amenities to keep people coming back for more. Robert Gold’s eponymous salon and spa in northwest Evanston has Lana.

 

She is the of-requested facialist who administers most of the spa’s facial treatments, whether it’s the pure and simple European Facial, the Caviar Facial or the Luminous C & Sea Facial (a line-reducing miracle potion of vitamin C and seaweed). And after our recent 30-minute “taste” of Lana’s work, we understand why Gold describes his employee (like all the talented masseuses, hairstylists and beautician’s he’s hired away from bigger salons and spas in the area), as “first class.”

 

“it’s all about service,” the Israeli-born Gold explains one snowy afternoon, in the newly constructed addition to his Central Street space. “My name is on the line, and that’s very important, so now I’m really, really picky.”

 

The Robert Gold Salon and Spa opened on Central Street in 2005, giving Gold, a top hairstylist at another well-known North Shore salon, a blank slate for his vision and philosophies.

 

He knew he wanted a spa component. Something simple. Massages and body treatments, combined with manicures and pedicures. But what Gold might not have anticipated, especially in this economy, was that he’d already be expanding the reception lounge three years later.

“We wanted to separate the sitting area from the work area,” he says. “And since we’ve been closer to the sidewalk, we’re bringing in three new customers a day.”

 

Because Gold has made a practice of hiring the best staff from the best places, his client list has included customers from Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and Northfield since the beginning. But based on what we saw recently, it won’t be long before Lana has a few new Evanston customers of her own.