Business of the Week brought to you by Fritcha Construction

Business Spotlight:

VIP Tan

By: Deanna Quinn

            Though winter is giving way to spring, there are stubborn remnants of snow piles scattered throughout the city. Though the air hints at sunny days, the wind still coldly bites at your cheeks when it blusters and blows . And though birds have begun to chirp with the morning sun, Sandy Thomson on NewsChannel 15 says we could see more snow this month. Unfortunately, spring hasn't fully arrived yet, but citizens of New Haven are preparing for the warm months and spring vacations by visiting the tanning salons in the area.
With its grand opening on Feb. 20th, VIP Tan provided area residents with another place to get out of the gray of winter and into the colors of spring and summer. Pulling the door open, you can feel the warm drafts from the heat of the tanning beds hit your face. You can smell the tropics—coconut, pineapple, and blooms—clinging to the air as winter melts away. With the tall, straight lines of the architecture, the dim setting of the light fixtures, and the flashing neon colors of nearby beds, you feel as though you have entered the city's new hot spot as a Very Important Person.
Moving to the right, your feet slide on the smooth, bronze floor as you approach the counter. Carrie Fry, the customer service representative, greets you with smile. The newest tanning lotions stand on a shelf behind her, enticing you further into the tropics with their bright colors and koala bears. On the counter by the register, the tanning goggles swim in the sea of cleaning solution, imploring you to take them into the warmth of the tanning bed where you can take a little siesta as your skin begins to bronze.
"We offer seven levels of tanning," says owner Deneen Dubuque. "This is our 'big bad bed.'" Laughing, she continues, "This is our Acclaim Bed, the level seven bed. It's our high pressure bed that has 1,000 watt bulbs in it. You get more bang for your buck."
VIP Tan offers many services to meet the diverse needs of its members. In addition to the level seven bed, the salon does have six other levels at different price points for members to use, as well as a stand up booth for easy underarm tanning. Furthermore, for those not wanting the potential side effects of UV rays, the salon also offers the Versa Spa, a sunless tanning booth.
"If you're getting ready for a wedding or prom and you need some really decent color fast, use this and you've got color the next day," Deneen explains as mellow music plays. "We're the only salon in town that has the Versa Spa booth."
VIP Tan is the fifth tanning salon that Deneen and her husband Matt have opened. They opened their first store in Auburn in 2002. From there, they have expanded into other area cities including Marion and New Haven.
"So far, everybody really loves it," says Carrie. "They like the atmosphere, the beds, the brand new bulbs. I haven't had any complaints."
"I walked in and was like 'Wow!'" expands Jessica Gerber. "It gives that 'Wow!' effect. Each day we are getting more and more people."
"We pride ourselves on keeping a very clean salon and having a friendly staff," concludes Deneen.          
As a new member walks through the door, Carrie and Jessica quickly turn to answer questions and give him a tour of the salon. As the trio walks from bed to bed, he is impressed with all VIP Tan has to offer. At the end of the tour, he signs up for a VIP membership. Another resident has discovered the tropics in New Haven and the perfect place to get ready for the swimsuit summer.