Ultimate Retreat Salon & Day Spa in Le Sueur, Minnisota

If you have driven through the city of Le Sueur in Minnesota, you know firsthand that the small downtown strip of retail isn't much for anyone to get excited about. In addition to the small 70s style shopping center that houses a handful of retailers on the first floor and medical practices on the second floor, there are two buildings on Le Sueur's main street that are occupied by a handful of small businesses.

Ultimate Retreat Salon & Day Spa, located at 112A North Main Street is one of them. The building is rundown and even crumbing at one side, but when you walk inside the salon, it is totally transformed. I have been to this salon a few times in the five years I have lived in Le Sueur. I will admit my first impression wasn't a good one. When I first moved to Le Sueur, I recall calling the salon for pricing, and thought their $40 pedicures were grossly overpriced for a small town. It took me a few more years after that to try their services.

Last year I received a gift certificate for a free pedicure and called to make an appointment. I was pleased that they took walk-ins, so I came in without an appointment and the hostess at the front desk was very nice. The salon was very beautiful inside. The floors had been redone with hardwood tile, and everything looked hip and updated compared to the outside. It was bright, clean and very comforting.

When the hostess went to tell the salon staff member that I was there, the salon staff member seemed upset that I dropped it, even though I had phoned and asked if they took walk-ins. I was the only one in the salon, and she told me to come back in 15 minutes. Despite living less than a mile away, I told her I would wait the 15 minutes there rather than driving back home. She seemed even more annoyed. She was pretty rude the entire time she was doing the pedicure, and when she was done and had me wait for my nails to dry, she never came back to check on me and I left after that. I vowed never to go back. Unfortunately, I cannot remember her name.

I recently completed an offer where I received a gift certificate for a free hair cut, and when the scheduler told me I had to get it done at the Ultimate Retreat, I told him I didn't have a good experience in the past. He said to give it another try, so I did. Luckily the staff member that serviced me a year ago was not there. I encountered a stylist named Faith, who was very warm and friendly. I showed her a photo from a magazine of what I wanted done with my hair. She was very attentive and offered ideas.

Each hair cut begins with a nice massaging shampoo, which was very relaxing. Haircuts start at $17. Most, including my cut that day, cost around $20-$22. The salon is affiliated with Aveda, so that is why it is probably a little more than one would expect in a small town of about 4,000, like Le Sueur.

The salon also offers day spa packages ranging from $86 to $149, depending on what services you want. Other salon services include massages, waxing, tinting, make-up, pedicures, manicures, facials and tanning. The salon is open Mon. through Thurs. 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.