33 minute read
Gulf Gate Shops
acquired the building. It was built by her father, George Connelly, who started the market in 1952 and later sold it in the 1970s.
On April 12, Connelly announced she was retiring and that her grocery store, which she runs with her husband, Bill Singleton, would be holding a going-out-of-business liquidation sale between April 14 and 20 that included fixtures and equipment.
Brown said he hoped to replace the grocery store with another one, even buying many of those fixtures and pieces of equipment, but he’s thus far received little interest.
One of the grocers he’s contacted are the Mortons, who operate the store in the building he owns in the Village. Others in the area have been approached by Brown, but nothing has materialized.
“It’s been tough,” he said. “First of all, there’s only 7,000 square feet in that store. And unless you know the dynamics of Siesta Key, people in that business tend to wonder why a grocery would work here. Their algorithms tell them to be on (U.S.) 41, where 50,000 cars come by per day.
“So, I’m looking at alternatives.”
Other options
Still, the building does sit on one of the most high-profile lots on Siesta Key. It’s one of the first things you see as you arrive at Midnight Pass Road after coming over the south bridge.
“That’s one prime piece of property,” said Scott Dolan, owner of Big Water Fish Market.
Added Steve Cavanaugh, the outgoing president of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and owner of the RE/MAX Tropical Sands business located on the top floor of the building, “The drive-by traffic here is extraordinary.”
While the site’s future is undetermined, what Brown said he’s not going to do is build condos or a hotel.
Nor will he be creating a tavern or night club.
“At this stage, between staffing issues and quality-of-life-issues, I’m staying away from that,” he said. “I can promise one thing, it will not be a night club, even though, technically, zoning allows for it. I want something compatible with the area and a night club does not fit.”
He’s also not tearing it down.
“The bones are good, much like all the buildings built in that era. What it is in need of, desperately, is a facelift,” Brown said.
A nice restaurant, for which Brown is known, is a possibility, he said.
Cavanaugh can understand why that may be a good decision.
“He’s done pretty well with everything else he’s owned like that,” Cavanaugh said.
Brown also said something in the realm of traditional retail is a consideration.
“I have been approached by several high-end restaurant groups and retail outfits,” he said. “We are in multiple discussions at this time.”
South Village taking shape
Regarding the sudden sale, Cavanaugh said Connelly off-andon had also made it clear through word of mouth that it was for sale, but he said he always thought Connelly’s unofficial asking price was a bit “pie in the sky.”
“It did kind of come out of nowhere – Nancy never mentioned a word,” Cavanaugh said of the sale. “But like we all know all it takes is the right buyer.”
The building had been listed on LoopNet as recent as April 11, listing an assessed value of $2,910,500. The two-story building has 31 parking spaces and occupies 140 feet of Midnight Pass Road frontage.
And Cavanaugh sees in Brown the right buyer to help offer a big boost to an area that in many ways has played second fiddle to the Village.
“Chris is a good guy, and he’s done a lot for Siesta Key,” Cavanaugh said. “All of his establishments in the Village are top-notch.
“This helps bring (the south end) into the ‘now.’ In my talks with Chris, I know he plans to invest substantially to gentrify the property. It would sure be a nice focal point when you come over that bridge.”
Brown agrees.
“There’s room for more of what visitors and residents want. There’s a lot of synergy right now on the south end,” Brown said. “And one thing I didn’t know is that the overwhelming majority of the short-term rental zoning is down there. This is a great opportunity to fill another void.”
He even thinks the district could be comparable to the Village in terms of appeal and offerings as soon as a year from now.
“It’s almost there,” Brown said. “Just a couple more steps.”
Other recent moving parts in the south end include the outdoor seating created at Captain Curt’s, plans for more of the same at Crescent Plaza, an outdoor addition at the Crescent Club, the creation of an employee-only parking lot, the building of new high-end beachfront condos on Seaside Drive (see story on page 13), and the approval of a 120room hotel toward the end of Old Stickney Point Road that includes a nearby five-story parking garage.
Gary Kompothecras is the owner of the Crescent Club and the forthcoming hotel.
“I am very happy that Chris Brown purchased the grocery store building. That area needs to be updated and improved for the whole neighborhood to enjoy,” Kompothecras said. “We share a common vision of Siesta Key as a gem to be developed into both a family vacation spot and a place to raise a family. It is truly a passion of ours.
“I welcome him and hope to develop the south-of-the-bridge district as a major vacation destination. Infrastructure and planning are a must, and I look forward to the future.”
The renters await their fate
So, what will become of the current tenants?
“We’re working on some longterm solutions,” said Brown, who added that both of the tenants he inherited --Tropical Sands and Coconuts -- are welcome to stay.
John Cannon has leased the space for his Coconuts women’s fashion store there for 28 years, at the far-right side of the plaza.
“We’ve had conversations, but nothing has been settled,” Cannon said of his interaction with Brown since the sale. To be safe, he’s starting to look for other locations.
“We’re all getting our ‘plan B’ in place, if things don’t work out,” Cannon said.
Same goes for Cavanaugh, who has leased there since 2005.
“I was told I’d have four to six months to relocate, if that’s what’s needed,” Cavanaugh said. “It would be sad to have to set-up elsewhere. But with (Brown) paying that much, the result would likely be such a high number in rent that it wouldn’t be worth it.”
Meanwhile, Brown said he feels
Brown fortunate to be involved with another chapter in Siesta Key’s evolution.
“You know, the word ‘growth’ is open to interpretation. It’s inevitable, and I’ve learned to embrace it,” he said.
“I’m not a ‘If you build it, they will come’ guy. That’s not me. I’m not a developer.
“I’m all about smart growth. I reinvigorate, improve. I create something that fills a void.”
And, as someone who lived on the Key for many years, he’s a known commodity who appreciates his role.
“Many of the properties I’ve bought were generational, and that’s the case again with the grocery store,” Brown said. “I heard that Nancy even turned down a higher offer because she thought I’d be a better fit. She trusted me. I’m honored to have them pass the torch to me.”
Said Connelly of Brown, “He’s done great things with his properties in the Village and I’m certain he’ll do great things with my property.”
Nancy Connelly and Bill Singleton of Crescent Beach Grocery. (file photo)
Also, city shoots down elected mayor idea, likely eliminating possible Siesta Key commission seat
A redistricting shake-up on the state front could assist Save Siesta Key’s desire for incorporation, as two members of the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation who voted in opposition will no longer have votes.
District 71’s Will Robinson, who chaired the delegation, will now be limited to western Manatee County representation. His current map extends all the way to include the northern tip of Siesta Key.
District 73’s Tommy Gregory, meanwhile, has announced he is moving from eastern Sarasota County -- which is now in the heart of District 74 -- to Lakewood Ranch in western Manatee County to run for the redrawn District 72.
It will allow him to avoid running against fellow Republican James Buchanan, who represents District 74 and was the third delegation member to cast a no vote against Save Siesta Key. The 3-3 tie killed the bill in January.
The new district maps were approved by the Florida Supreme Court in March. They go into effect in November.
Will the departure of Robinson and Gregory help turn the tide?
“I’m hopeful,” said state Sen. Joe Gruters when asked about the future of Siesta Key’s incorporation bid at the April 7 meeting of the SRQ Tiger Bay Club.
The inquiry came from Save Siesta Key board member Tracy Jackson.
Gruters was one of four Sarasota County legislators who spoke during
Gregory
By John Morton
the club’s annual legislative update panel discussion. Joining Gruters were Robinson, Gregory, and state Rep. Fiona McFarland.
Gruters, McFarland (the bill’s sponsor), and state Rep. Michele Rayner voted yes.
Siesta Key, now mostly in District 72, will soon belong to District 73 where McFarland will have exclusive representation.
City makes mayor decision
Meanwhile, a recent decision by the city of Sarasota’s commissioners to not go with a “strong-mayor” form of government may have further diminished the potential of Siesta Key considering annexation into the city.
In January, a few days after the failed incorporation vote, Sarasota Mayor Erik Arroyo said he’d ask Siesta leaders to consider joining the city. In February, representatives from the Key’s four most influential non-profits met with Arroyo for what Save Siesta Key chairman Tim Hensey called a very general, preliminary discussion. This, despite the fact the incorporation group had said it had no interest in such an idea and planned to immediately try for incorporation a second time. No follow-up meetings between Siesta and the city have taken place.
The city’s mill rate of 3.13 was among the reasons for doubt. Save Siesta Key’s proposal that was shot down called for a .25 mill rate – a staggering difference for taxpayers.
Then, the city commission on March 28 voted 4-1 to keep its existing government structure in place, rejecting a recommendation by a charter review committee to instead have a mayor elected separately by the populace. The mayor currently serves as one of five elected commissioners – three by district and two at-large – and is selected annually by a vote among the five who have seats.
Had the elected mayor suggestion been approved for a referendum vote and then passed, there was speculation that a commission spot could be made available and possibly even earmarked for a Siesta Key representative, if indeed annexation took place. (Jane Bartnett contributed to this report.)
Save Siesta Key
Continued from page 1
pro-development approach by the county commission -- including the recent approval of the construction of two high-rise hotels.
Similarly, Siesta Key Association board member Jean Cannon said her group has begun to discuss the idea of hosting candidate forums related to the election. She said it has occasionally done so in the past, most recently held at Gulf & Bay Club in connection to Margaret Good’s state representative run in 2018.
Regarding Save Siesta Key, as a 501(c)(4) entity its primary focus cannot be to influence political campaigns. It can endorse candidates but can’t contribute to any financially.
With that in mind, Hensey has said the formation of a political action group, known as a PAC, may be a necessary step for island residents.
A PAC’s chief purpose is to pool money together from its members and contributors to support a particular candidate or political issue.
“On Siesta Key we are never going to get where we want to get until we get out wallets behind our voice and actually take some action,” Hensey said on Feb. 3 while speaking to members of the Siesta Key Association, adding that Save Siesta Key is “probably not the entity” that will get things to change at the county level.
The comments came one month after the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation shot down the Save Siesta Key incorporation bill before it ever got to Tallahassee for consideration by the house and senate.
Hensey, who recently retired as an executive in the construction industry, participated in several PACs during his career and even ran the second-largest PAC in Florida over the course of five years, he told Siesta Key Association members.
Rodkin comes on board
With both another incorporation effort and a voice in the county elections on the road map, Save Siesta Key has continued to bolster its board after three departures came after the delegation’s rejection.
The newest addition is Gary Rodkin, a retiree on the Key’s south end. The recipient of an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, Rodkin is past CEO and president of ConAngra Foods, one of the largest food-processing companies in North America. He was also CEO and president of the North American division of PepsiCo.
“Gary Rodkin is a great addition to our board on multiple fronts,” Hensey said. “First of all, as a resident of Sanderling Club he experiences the traffic logjam at the intersections of Midnight Pass and Stickney Point, and Stickney Point and U.S. 41, on a daily basis. It is more than inconvenience -- it threatens the safety of our residents and visitors.
“Secondly, Gary’s professional accomplishments, as past CEO of a Fortune 500 company, demonstrate his expertise in leadership, strategic thinking, public speaking, written communication and management of people and process that would be a benefit to virtually any board or organization. We are very fortunate to have him join our ranks”
Rodkin said his interest in the incorporation effort echo those of the other board members, simply rooted in being a frustrated resident.
“I’m not sure I have any particular skills beyond being a concerned citizen,” he said. “I do have good insights into understanding complex issues, and formulating pragmatic solutions, from a long career in leading large public corporations.
“As a long-time resident, I was motivated to join Save Siesta Key to help give the people of Siesta Key a voice in determining how our community is governed. For years many local groups, organizations, and individuals have expressed deep concerns with the continuing overdevelopment and densification of our island. Yet it continues unabated. This has led to major traffic, safety, and environmental issues that will get even worse in the future. The integrity of our rules and regulations is ignored, as the money interests of the few completely override the very real concerns of the residents who must live with the consequences.
“We have had a home on Siesta Key since 1995. At that time, we couldn’t believe we were able to work and live in such a beautiful paradise. We have watched, especially in the last five years, how much this has changed. There are many things that could be done to improve this situation before it’s too late. I know that virtually every citizen of Siesta Key agrees. Our elected officials need to start listening.”
Rodkin joins island resident Jodie Tierney as the board’s newcomers, who joined in February. She has extensive experience as a lobbyist in being the director of state government affairs with Neurocrine Biosciences. She also was an executive with UnitedHealth Group and worked with the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Save Siesta Key’s board members are now Hensey, Rodkin, Tierney, John Davidson, Stephen Lexow, and Tracy Jackson.
Original board members who have left are Rick Munroe, Harry Anand, Chuck Byrne, and Lisa Choate.
Tierney
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HOMES FOR SALE PAGE 43 ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 47
The Highs and Lows of Properties Sold on Siesta Key
Provided by William Raveis Real Estate / www.raveis.com
The following are properties sold on Siesta Key in the last 60 days, providing a snapshot of home values on the Key for both single-family homes and condominiums.
HIGHEST-PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE 506 VENICE LANE $4.88 MILLION
Large family home with over 6,800 square feet with 25-foot ceilings featuring exposed beams highlighted by a stone gas fireplace with one of kind artisan design. Gourmet chef’s kitchen, open to the great room and breakfast area, presents top of the line appliances, stunning granite countertops, two toned cabinetry and a butler’s pantry with pass through. Five bedrooms with ensuite baths. A built-in salt water aquarium is the centerpiece of the bar area. The master suite on the second level overlooks the Grand Canal with private access to the terrace, an expansive master closet with custom built ins, and master bath with a central walk-in shower, Jacuzzi tub and double vanities. The third floor hosts a private theater room. The outdoor entertaining area with pool, waterfall and wooden bridge to the large deck with boat dock and Jet Ski lift. Electric screens enclose both terraces while entertaining at the elaborate outdoor kitchen. Home is being offered turnkey furnished.
Courtesy of Mapp Realty
LOWEST-PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE 1249 S. VIEW DRIVE $995,000
This lushly landscaped lot and wellmaintained ranch-style home creates the perfect full-time residence or home away from home. The split plan offers three generously sized bedrooms and beautiful wood beamed vaulted ceilings. The open living spaces all have views of the pool and the screened terrace, which is the perfect place for entertaining and al fresco dining.
Courtesy of Compass
HIGHEST-PRICED CONDO 5400 OCEAN BLVD., #2-1 $2.4 MILLION
Spacious three-bedroom, three-bath, gulf-front unit. On the beach in The TERRACE building. The location is second to none, directly on the beach and just steps away from the heart of the Village. Enjoy all the restaurants, boutiques, markets, spas, and night life within two blocks. This fabulous beachfront corner unit has five over-sized balconies with stunning sunsets. The building recently underwent major renovations; plumbing, AC, generator, well, exterior concrete restoration, new fences, new entry security, interiors updated in the lobby, lounge, fitness/game area, and elevators. This unit also has an assigned undercover parking spot close to the entry door.
Courtesy of William Raveis
LOWEST-PRICED CONDO 6157 MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD, UNIT F21 $445,000
Turnkey furnished first floor, two--bedroom, with seven-day minimum rentals permitted. This open floor plan has granite counter tops with the matching granite island for the modern touch. Matching silver appliances as well as modern design cabinetry to top off the eloquent but simple design. The master bedroom is full size and even with furnishings there still is plenty of space. The second bedroom offers a large walk-in closet. There is a large screened in covered lanai off the living that room looks out to a garden view with mature landscaping and oak trees and has a 6X6 storage room. Courtesy of White Sands Realty
Build the home of your dreams on this Canopy Road in a one-of-a-kind Siesta Key neighborhood with old Florida charm. This family-friendly and pet-friendly street winds around beautiful Twin Oak pond with lighted fountains and surrounded by old oaks and a variety of palms. The 10, 000+ sf lot is cleared and ready to build. Nearby Glebe Park has playgrounds, basketball courts, a soccer field, and a baseball field, and world-famous Siesta Beach is only a short mile away! Architectural plans are available from the seller.
Al Nemore
NMLS #1783476
Marty Remillard
NMLS#343653
No Lender Fees 941. 223.9416
GULF-FRONT UNIT Rarely available, spacious threebedroom, three-bath. On the beach in The TERRACE building. The location is second to none, directly on the beach and just steps away from the heart of the village. This fabulous beachfront corner unit has five oversized balconies with stunning sunsets. The swimming pool is fantastic; over-sized, extremely deep, heated, saltwater with full gulf-front views. If you enjoy sunsets and walking the beach you have found paradise. The award-winning white sugar sand of Siesta Key, the finest white sand in America is at your doorstep. 5400 OCEAN BLVD, #2-1, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4472758, $2,599,999, William Raveis Real Estate, 941-894-1255 PERFECT INVESTMENT PROPERTY. NO minimum stays and NO pet restrictions. The premier location of Sandy Toes is one of the most desirable spots on Siesta Key within close walking distance to everything that is needed for a memorable world-class island vacation experience. Park the cars in your two-car garage and walk to shops, restaurants, boutiques, and the newest most popular nightlife and live music on the island or jump on the Siesta Key Breeze Trolley to experience Siesta Village. 6810 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4507853, $1,350,000, William Raveis Real Estate, 941894-1255 STUNNING VIEWS from three-bedroom, two-and-a-halfbathroom beach condo. The views are stunning, and the sunsets never disappoint. The total square footage is 2,245 with 1,845 square feet of air-conditioned space with five private balconies, three of which are oversized. This flowing open floor plan is perfect for beachside living and elegant entertaining. A walker’s paradise on the white sands of Siesta Beach to the heart of the village, restaurants, boutiques, and nightlife. 5400 OCEAN BLVD, #1-3, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4486556, $1,599,999, William Raveis Real Estate, 941894-1255 WATERFRONT SANCTUARY Situated in a private tropical setting on north Siesta Key at the end of a cul-de-sac. It features a dock with davit allowing for a quick boat ride to Sarasota Bay, Lido Beach and direct access to the Gulf and Intracoastal Waterway. This charming and unique open floor plan features a vaulted ceiling, reclaimed wood beams, wood floors, fabulous kitchen with glassed pantry, spacious wood and granite countertops, and stainless appliances. Double French doors open to an expansive covered deck. 111 FAUBEL ST, SARASOTA, FL 34242 MLS# A4517235, $1,300,000, William Raveis Real Estate, 941-894-1255
In the midst of current skepticism toward mainstream media, local papers have become the best option for truth in journalism. Your recent coverage of our 45th wedding anniversary easily wove our historic Siesta Key roots (1960!) with our global charity endeavors on five continents.
Reporter Hannah Wallace then accurately shared our love story along with our Key Sailing charter adventures, and was somehow able to mention the 1989 foiled Colombian kidnap on my life without taking away from the point of the story: “Everyone has a story.”
Now it is my turn to report some good news. As this story was going to print, I was miraculously healed from 33 years of pain resulting from the traumatic brain injury that left me unconscious for three days and with degenerative brain damage for much of my life.
My specialists have verified the difference, and this new chapter might give hope to others who have followed a trail of faith only to wonder when God will answer their prayers.
As you can imagine, this miracle added new meaning to our recent renewal of vows, as well as another chapter to the “sailing home” story.
Why share this with you? Because the true Siesta Key reality is that of a community that plays and prays in the sand together. Thanks for sailing home with us and keep printing the good news from the world’s whitest sand.
Jan Hamel Solomon
Answers from Page 36
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Inspired by our entrepreneurial culture, they are empowered to thrive as themselves. Becoming the real estate entrepreneur they want to be. We provide a framework in which they can flourish. Equipping our team with state-of-the-art tools to make selling effortless. Acting as an accelerator of talent through our coaching and mentorship programs.
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Gardens in Paradise a success
The Sarasota Garden Club’s Gardens in Paradise tour took place on Saturday, March 26. It was a huge success and every garden looked like a picture – and the weather was ideal.
More than 800-plus tickets were purchased and 180 lunches sold.
Mable Ringling even took time out to visit the Sarasota Garden Club, where she greeted people with a smile and an umbrella to set the scene. She also answered historic questions.
Thank you for your support and sincere thanks to: • Garden owners who were kind enough to prepare and open their gardens to hundreds of visitors and were delighted to discuss their gardens with them. Members, please start thinking about where to go next year as, without key gardens, this event wouldn’t be possible. • Sponsors: The Bay, Sarasota Scene, Rosemary & Thyme (who provided the lunch boxes), The May Group, Ms Scarlett’s Flowers (who provided the “Basket of Sunshine” for each garden), Carol Lackey (who raised additional funds with her “Preview in Paradise” event, as well as opening her own garden on the day), and Rick Benitez Photography • GIP Committee for organizing the event: Kelly Goodwin (Chair), Emily Jaffe (Garden Selection), Gloria Thomas (Logistics), and of course their respective hard-working teams. • Team leaders and volunteers who managed visitors at each of the gardens. • Master gardeners: Karen Pariser (Adventure Committee chairwoman at UF/IFAS Extension of University of Florida and docent liaison to SGC) and her 30plus docents who were at all the gardens throughout the day to answer botanical questions.
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information, said that property to the right of the Beach Access 8 walking trail is generally considered county land, while everything to the left, especially where the trail bends to the left, is generally considered private land.
He kept a catamaran there with permission from a homeowner for years, he said, going back as far as 1980. He recently moved it closer to his home near Shell Road and Beach Access 4.
A walk of the trail in early April indicated boats were lined up on both sides.
“People are moving the boats all over the place right now. They’re scurrying like rats,” Burns said of boatowners.
A solution on the horizon?
While Burns wants to see the boats remain there, he blames several of their owners for creating the current situation.
“Some of them are abandoned and in disrepair,” Burns said, noting that four or five are in dangerously poor condition and create a liability. He said they should indeed be removed.
He added, “Some of them are not tied down. In a hurricane they’d flip, if not worse. People have taken advantage of the situation. There’s been too much apathy. They think, because back in the day no one seemed to care, it is reason to keep things the same.
“I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of boats come and go, and it’s true the county never said anything for a long time. It’s no wonder the county got involved.”
Burns was among the sailors who tried to monitor the situation on their own in hopes of avoiding county interaction.
“I’ve had to cut-up more than 100 boats through the years,” he said. “People would leave them for years and they’d literally disintegrate under the sun. And the more populated the island has become, the crazier things have gotten there (at Beach Access 8). It became a free-for-all.”
The solution?
For starters, Burns is convinced that many beachfront owners are open to having a boat stored on their land if done so in a proper manner.
“People haven’t had the decency to just knock on a door and ask. Sometimes that’s all it takes,” he said. “There are plenty of property owners who are willing if you tie it down properly and take care of it.”
Also, he feels the county should be willing to create an opportunity to allow for boats to exist in a permitted spot, as long as standards are established and required to be met by responsible boat owners.
“Whether it’s Beach Access 8, or maybe Beach Access 7, there’s room to do this,” Burns said. “I would love to have them remain part of the beach, part of the community. They’re beautiful. And sailing is such a great thing to be able to share with our neighbors.”
The April 26 commission meeting was the last opportunity for public input on the matter, and Bruneau was encouraging residents to address the board in hopes of a solution.
If the county stays with its plan to begin removal, nearby beachfront homeowner Mike Cosentino – a known activist regarding beach matters – thinks it will be an overreach.
“The decision appears to conflict with Florida’s 1972 landmark Supreme Court decision regarding ‘customary use’ of our beaches but is consistent with the county’s bullying and trampling of the voters’ wishes and rights,” said Cosentino, who is running for one of the county commission seats.
Spa Experience Siesta Key
Maintain that Youthful Look with Microcurrent Treatments
Microcurrent Facials are a powerful anti-aging treatment that tightens and tones facial muscles and stimulates the lymph and blood flow to the face and neck, restoring suppleness and a youthful glow while tightening the facial muscles. This machine based treatment sends electrical impulses of very low voltage but high frequency through the skin resulting in a more youthful appearance. Crow’s feet begin to disappear, eyebrows lift, and cheekbones are more defined. Clients normally fall asleep during the facial as it is extremely relaxing and painless. There is no downtime and clients may go outside with no concerns after treatments. Spa Director, Connie Lewis has been performing micro-current facials since 2005 after learning the technology during her studies at Fashion Focus Academy where she earned her Facial Specialist Certification. “I was so ‘wowed’ by the results I personally experienced on my own face I immediately acquired the machine right out of school,” says Lewis.
Results of the treatments are cumulative and the best visible results are after a series of 5- 10 treatments then monthly or weekly treatments are recommended depending on skin condition and desired result.
The system is completely safe and treatment is non-invasive. The current is extremely low, less than the output of a pacemaker. The system operates on a per-programmed setting and contains calibrated internal data monitoring and resistance meters. This allows full comfort to the client as well as optimal performance and results for the operator. Microcurrent treatments are usually performed within 45-60 minutes, and are usually prescribed in a series of 6 to 12 treatments over a course of 60 days with one to two treatments a week recommended for maximum results. The number of sessions in a series is specific to each client. Once the series is complete, a monthly “booster” treatment is required to maintain results. Our non-invasive treatment usually offers noticeable results even after just one session and effectively gives you the benefit of a nonsurgical alternative to a facelift.
Like exercise for the other parts of the body, the facial muscles need a regular workout to achieve good muscle tone. Muscle reeducation by microcurrent is often referred to as “sculpting” and “lifting.”
The lifting and strengthening action have an accumulative effect on the face with each systematic series of treatments, increasing the holding action of the muscles. Through repeated sessions, facial muscles will hold their tone. Just like the stomach muscles will “re-tone” after repeated sessions of sit-ups. During the initial program, we recommend one to two visits a week with the total number depending on the individual needs. A typical course of treatment will range from six to twelve sessions. And after that a visit once a month is usually all that is required to maintain good facial muscle tone and youthful appearance.
When you stop exercising the body, over a period of time the muscle will lose their increased tone and return to a more flaccid state. The same is true for the face. It will not suddenly “fall,” but overtime will begin to resume its normal aging process.
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Most individuals will see immediate changes in facial contour after the first treatment. Your skin specialist can lift half of your face to show you the difference compared to the other side. But the improvement is increasingly obvious over a period of time with the series of sessions. Results depend significantly on the individual’s age and lifestyle.
What can microcurrent do for you?
Originally developed for treating facial palsy, microcurrent in the esthetic realm can: • Re-educate muscles • Increase blood and lymph circulation • Enhance the penetration of the active ingredients of skin care formulations • Increase the production of collagen and elastin • Increase protein synthesis, gluconeogenesis and cell membrane transport.
Additionally, research has shown that microcurrent may help with anti-aging at an even deeper level. In 1982, researcher Ngok Cheng led a study that provided hard evidence of microcurrent’s role in cellular vitality by proving that microcurrent increased levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in lab-rat skin cells by 500 percent. ATP is the fuel a cell needs to function. Actually, ATP is a really big deal as it is the energy that fuels all biochemical functions in the body. It boosts protein synthesis, necessary for tissue repair.
If you are interested in seeing the results on yourself, you can book an appointment online at www.spaexperiencesiestakey.com or by calling 941-349-4833. Spa Experience Siesta Key is conveniently located at 5700 Midnight Pass Road, Suite 4B, Siesta key (next door to the fire station).
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