Legendary Greenhouse Spa in Dallas Closes
The Greenhouse in Dallas, Texas, one of the earliest and most famous upscale destination spas, has closed its doors and laid off all its staff. "The owners are saying they might reopen in October," says Brooke Couch, former director of sales and marketing.
The Greenhouse opened in 1965 with the help of Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus and was a favorite of the old-school Texas oil money crowd. The Greenhouse pampered wealthy ladies while they lost weight or recovered from plastic surgery during week-long stays. Being served breakfast-in-bed on fine china was a signature Greenhouse experience.
In recent years the spa seemed dated compared to fabulous new destination spas like Cal-A-Vie near San Diego and the sportier Lake Austin Spa Resort. And over time its location lost some of its allure. In 1965, The Greenhouse was surrounded by miles and miles of green fields. Tremendous commercial development sprung up around it, with Six Flags, the Texas Rangers Stadium, and the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium all within a five-mile radius. The Greenhouse was having a hard time attracting people, despite deep discounts and shorter stays.
The Greenhouse's website is still up but no one answered the phone when I called this afternoon. Owners Lee and Gerry Katzoff could not be reached for comment.
Photo courtesy of The Greenhouse.
so sad to hear that. I think you meant to say their staff was let go. “laid” sounded kinda funny.
That breaks my heart. The women in my family have been going there since it first opened. Now we will have to find a new spa and start a new tradition.
Thousands of little girls and boys are dying every day from hunger and shallow-minded, selfish and foolish people bemoan the closing of a spa like this…it really makes a person wonder.
I think it’s a bit judgmental to say because children die, one can’t also be sorry to see what was once a successful business die. Businesses employ people and help feed children.
Yes it is sad to see a business close. I am a salon owner and understand the highs and lows of owning a salon. The biggest problem and most exhausting aspect of having your own business is that you have to fight to remain current and competitive. I am from Australia where the market is not as badly affected byt he current economic climate and there are no really big players that can come in and open up down the road and put the smaller players out of business. The ‘Starbucks’ phenomenon. It is a heart breaking thing for a business when you have to close as so much of your life and self worth goes into it. However when one door closes another opens. Oh well, the end of an era I suppose.
That is unfortunate for the owners, staff and their families and my heart goes out to them. If you are looking for a new destination spa, like Phyllis, you should definitely try Cal-a-Vie. It is truly amazing! Check out their website at http://www.cal-a-vie.com.