BURRILLVILLE – Since moving Solitude Massage Therapy and Wellness Center to its new home at 979 East Ave. in Oakland last January, owner Tina Breault Cardon has dreamed of expanding her business.
“I’m excited to announce that we are adding two more massage therapists in January or February, we have an infrared sauna coming and we are opening upstairs in February,” Cardon said.
First opened in 2020 in the small plaza behind Bella Restaurant, the business moved into a new, custom-built 2,500-square-foot space just last year. Cardon had stayed busy in her new digs, a visible spot at the corner of Bronco Highway and East Avenue – and now she will once again increase her services and reach.
The upstairs room is a large space that can host a number of different activities, she said.
“We are going to have yoga and meditation classes, sound healing with crystal bowls and monthly women circles,” said Cardon. “A nutritionist is interested coming in, and I’m happy to do workshops. There’s nothing like that around here, so people are excited. I’ve always wanted to have a space for things like this.”
The upstairs room is getting a new bathroom and has its own entrance from the parking lot so people won’t have to walk through the spa to access it, Cardon said.
The two new massage therapists will join Cardon’s current staff of six local women who include aestheticians, massage therapists and an acupuncturist, she said.
Cardon is hosting an open house on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and inviting people to come in and see the new addition to her business. Santa will be stopping by, and there will be food trucks, she said.
There will also be a raffle with proceeds benefitting Our Lady of Good Help food pantry because that’s where Cardon once turned for help herself.
“I had a very hard time before. I was a single mom raising three children and I literally had nothing,” she said. “It feels good to finally be at the point where I can give back.”
Reflecting on those hard times, Cardon said it was then that she came up with the name “Solitude” for her business.
“When you’re alone just with yourself, you feel that’s all you need in that moment,” she said. “You can create this whole space where you can feel safe. When I walk around (Solitude) now I feel like ‘wow.’ I feel like I was just lead here. I do feel I was lead to do this.”
Cardon now has more physical space for her business to be able to provide additional services for the community.
“It’s a new chapter,” she said. “And I’m excited.”
Solitude Massage & Wellness Center holds hours by appointment at 979 East Ave. Watch for a schedule of upcoming activities in the new year on Facebook, or to book an appointment call (401) 710-4207 or visit solitudewellnesscenter.com.
