Sol Spa: Bringing Fresh Energy to a Cherished Downtown Space
By Tianna Edwards
We are entering the season of transitions and new beginnings– something that Sol Spa, located on Princess Street, is familiar with. They took over what was previously The Annex loft’s flagship this summer and have been slowly making it their own. Owners Colin and Corey and spa manager Lauren share a bit about what guests can expect when they visit Sol Spa in our Q&A below.
Tianna: Tell me about your journey and how it got started
Colin and Corey: Sol Spa is locally owned by two Kingston families who share a common vision: to create the leading downtown getaway Kingston has to offer and develop an inspiring lifestyle brand. We want to fuel your soul by providing an oasis of health and hospitality when you come in for your services. We look forward to offering you a ‘SOL’ day! Our priorities are client comfort and experience, practitioner well-being, and bringing new and exciting services to our spa!
Sol Spa, formerly the Annex Spa's downtown location, was acquired on May 21, 2024. We have now completely relaunched the website which you can find at solspa.ca, and implemented several new comfort amenities - such as our Mosaic Oasis Patio, offering Marine Collagen Water to our guests, and bringing in our first ever make up artist! We also brought in two amazing local artists to show their work: Michelle Reid and Adele Webster. And we are just getting started. It has been our joy to reimagine and revamp The Annex Spa's flagship location which has been a cornerstone of the spa community since their debut in 2012. We are proud to be opening a brand new chapter for our clients and practitioners.
What you can expect going forward is that we are actively listening to our guests and our team for more improvements to the space and their experience. We have one new service we are launching this fall which is expected to be a big hit - body nourishing spray tan services! We are also bringing in exciting new products that our guests will love!
Tell me more about Sol Spa?
Sol Spa Team: Sol Spa is a Spa + Massage Therapy clinic focusing on wellness and comfort. Our services include registered massage therapy, skin treatments, manicures, pedicures, professional make-up services, and lash and brow services. Sol Spa is a quiet getaway experience, where guests can relax and enjoy our peaceful, boutique atmosphere. Our practitioners care deeply about their work and our guests. You can expect a stellar experience every time you step foot through our doors.
Speaking of doors, our location is a bit of a "hidden gem" - while our address is officially on Princess street, the primary access for the spa is on the back of the building through Angrove Parking Lot. You enter the Angrove by car on Wellington street, or also by foot on Queen Street. And you know what that means? Lots of Parking! You can usually find a spot in the lot, or right on Queen street, which is not always easy to do downtown!
By the way, we are still the authorized seller of Eminence Organic Skincare products in the area. This line of beauty and skincare really supports our mission because it is healthy, organic, sustainable and gets real results. Our clients keep coming back for it and we are proud to offer it now in-store and online from our website, solspa.ca
Since you took over the vacancy in May, what has it been like?
Spa Manager, Lauren: This experience has been incredible! Ever since I began working for the Annex in 2021, I fell in love with the spa industry, and the passion I had made me want to grow in this industry. Our new ownership saw the passion and drive, and so they offered me the opportunity to be the Spa Manager, which I happily accepted. Change is always difficult, but the team has really shown appreciation for the approach we have taken as a leadership team to ensure the spa not only functions as it did before, but also has real potential for growth. Right away our owners were ready to invest into improvements that directly affected the practitioner's day-to-day work and the client's experiences, and that has been very rewarding for everyone. Personally, I am learning a ton, but also have been able to help guide the big decisions. I really want the best for this spa, and I really love what we are doing with it.
How do you like being part of the Downtown Kingston business owner community?
Spa Manager, Lauren: Speaking as the Spa Manager, I have loved downtown Kingston since moving to the city in 2015. It is a beautiful city for not only its history and architecture, but a welcoming and vibrant community. Kingston business owners support one another, and collaborate in many events amongst the downtown core. Our previous experiences as the Annex were nothing but positive, and the support we've received continues every day. We are truly grateful for our downtown community and wouldn’t want to see our business thrive anywhere else.
What can customers expect when they visit Sol Spa?
Sol Spa Team: At Sol Spa, we believe in providing a "SOL" day with every experience. We’ve built our brand around this concept, which emphasizes a quiet retreat where clients can relax and feel cozy, just like at home. Our goal is for everyone to feel cared for and pampered because we all need that! Our team, from the front desk to the treatment rooms, emphasizes this philosophy during every visit.
We also advocate for "no regrets" skin care and beauty choices. Just like that cringeworthy tattoo from our younger years, the beauty industry can be saturated with trendy products that might not be beneficial in the long run. We choose to carry only natural and organic, potent skincare and offer trusted treatments that our clients can trust, to ensure that the beauty investments made now won’t be choices you regret down the road.
As the season changes, do you have suggestions for how folks should pamper themselves?
Sol Spa Team: Absolutely! People often forget to care for themselves until it's too late. The holidays are a wonderful opportunity for celebration and self-pampering, yet they can also be extremely busy. It’s important to carve out “you” time during this period. As the weather gets chilly, I highly recommend trying an Eminence Organics facial or our Sol Spa signature body and facial service. The luxurious products and warm, soothing hot towels will not only improve your skin for the season but also help you deeply relax on your SOL day. Many people neglect these opportunities as the year ends, so it’s a great time to book those RMT appointments and utilize any coverage you may have, tuning up your health and wellness for the new year!
Sol Spa
Your Downtown Spa Escape
Where: 119 Princess Street Unit 3 ENTRANCE AT REAR - Access from Angrove parking lot off, Wellington St, Kingston
Tianna Edwards
Tianna is a wife and mom of two young kids with a day job as an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Coordinator at Queen's. She takes pride in living in Kingston and loves celebrating all things local (mostly food related!) through her blog, Keep up with Kingston. Follow Tianna's blog for more local food, culture and shop inspo. Get the latest from her over on instagram.
