Sun Catchers Tanning Spa
Celebrating 10 years of customer satisfaction
By Nance Ebert Contributing Writer

Employee Jessye Antonio and owner Pam Vickers-Cardillo

Westborough - There is excitement in the air surrounding the 10-year anniversary of Sun Catchers Tanning Spa. Owners Pam Vickers-Cardillo and her husband, Carmine Cardillo, are looking forward to thanking their loyal customers with a week-long celebration, which will include daily raffles, hat, T-shirt and game give-aways, and gift certificates to win, as well as an opportunity to win free tanning packages.

All of this will take place starting Tuesday Nov. 20 and continuing Nov. 21, 23, 24 and 25.

Sun Catchers Tanning Spa is a state-of-the-art tanning facility. It is kept meticulously clean, and fresh towels and required eyewear are provided. Drinks, along with an extensive array of tanning lotions, are available for purchase. Literature is provided for clients and contains updated information and answers to questions they may have regarding the tanning process.

"This is not really my tanning salon but my customer's salon," Pam said. "Everything we do always has a customer in mind."

All employees have trained extensively and all are International Smart Tan-certified. This ensures that they are knowledgeable about the equipment and know how to administer the use of ultraviolet light for cosmetic tanning.

One of the things that Pam focuses on daily is customer service. She and her staff make sure that every customer who walks through the door leaves happy.

"People come in here for many diff erent reasons," Pam said. "Clients with psoriasis and depression have commented that this appears to really help them. I get to know many of my clients personally. It becomes like a big family."

There are tanning booths and beds and Pam is hoping to get a sunless "spray tanning" booth in the near future. While there are diff erent booth options for customers to select from, all of the booths and rooms have satellite music.

One option is a seven-minute booth called the Super Sonic, which is a stand-up booth. There are also three Sun Capsules, which are 12-minute stand-up booths. There's a 10- minute bed called the Sungate, featuring air conditioning, aromatherapy, a water mister and an ionizer. There is also a 12-minute bed that's not as strong, with similar features, and a 15-minute bed. Maximum time limits have been established by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

"Clients coming in can either purchase packages or walk in for a service," Pam explained. "The pricing is done by 'minutes.' Therefore, if only a portion of those 'minutes' are used at any given appointment, they can be carried over to another time. So, if, for example, someone comes in and their skin is very light, they may only be able to go in for three minutes and not the 10 minutes that the equipment allows. This ends up being more cost eff ective for my customers."

The spa's Web site, at www. suncatcherstanningspa.net, is widely used by customers and those interested in obtaining indoor tanning information. The site is helpful and includes answers to frequently asked questions, coupons, information about the equipment, and background information about the owners.

"Indoor tanning is a controlled atmosphere," Pam said. "What we never want to do is burn. We try to teach our clients to start slowly and gradually tan."

Sun Catchers Tanning Spa is located at 164 Milk St. (Route 135). Spa hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Editor's Note: the preceding is not an endorsement and is presented for informational purposes only.