Donna Copperwaite believes there is something special about the Queenscliff Day Spa.
The spa, which has been in the town for 20 years, overlooks the harbour, creating the perfect spot for people to sit back, relax and enjoy being pampered while soaking up the view.
“When you first walk in, all you see is the harbour and the marina,” Donna says.
“There are not many places where you can have a wax and overlook the harbour.
“We do a lot of group bookings …we do a lot of pedicures like that because they can sit four at a time overlooking the harbour and we also have a balcony where you can have nibbles and bubbles.”
Donna, who has worked at the day spa for about 15 years, took over the business last December.
She says 2020 has been a challenging time to own a small business.
“We were closed 17 weeks all up,” she says. “But it’s not just the times we were closed, it’s the weeks leading up to and the backside as well.
“The weeks leading up to the first lockdown were really quiet and people didn’t know what to do. When we were opened [for the second time] we were busy but it has started to quieten down again.”
Donna says the day spa’s regular clients hail from Queenscliff and Melbourne, resulting in a loss of business.
The spa’s inability to offer facials – as face masks must be worn during all treatments – is also impacting business, she says.
“But we do offer a large range of services. LED, microdermabrasion, hydro dermabrasion, body scrubs, body wraps, remedial massage where you can get a health rebate with certain therapists, manicures, pedicures, waxing, tinting, lash lift – we are our locals’ beauty clinic.
“We do have a COVIDSafe plan and are really strict with hygiene and sanitising – we always have been.
“The therapists aren’t allowed to work if they are sick.”
In an effort to support other small businesses, Queenscliff Day Spa is focusing on using and selling as many Australian-made products as possible. Donna has also turned to local businesses to help her refresh the spa’s décor.
“Our cosmetical range is Australian … all our gifts are Australian. We are trying to use as much Australian-made as we can.
“As a family, and I can speak for the other girls here as well, we are all about supporting the town … We would rather the money stays here.”
She hopes other locals will show their support for business across the region.
“In a town like this – and the whole Bellarine – you rely on tourism.
“In the lead-up to Christmas, we have a really large range of gifts and gift vouchers … [Queenscliff] is a nice place to explore.”
Queenscliff Day Spa is at level one, Queenscliff Harbour.
