ELY — It was a message that took both customers and staff by surprise. On Oct. 29, the Pebble Spa Facebook account posted a notice that the business would soon be closing all of their locations.
“This isn’t how we imagined our story ending, and we truly hope this is not goodbye forever,” wrote business owner Wendy Lindsay, of Ely. “We are holding on to hope, to love, and to the incredible community that has surrounded us all these years.”
“The closure was not due to lack of effort, mismanagement, funding, or loss of passion,” Lindsay later told the Timberjay, “but rather an uncontrollable legal event that forced a chain of actions outside our control.”
Lindsay said the decision was not made lightly. She said the closure stemmed from a legal situation involving their North Dakota landlord, which then forced her family into personal bankruptcy.
“This process had ripple effects on all connected businesses,” she said. “We learned of the final outcome only days before sharing the news with our team, and we moved as quickly as possible to communicate honestly once we had clarity.”
Lindsay said their separate company, Stone Soup Events, which puts on the Ely Marathon, is also affected, but they are not ready to release details yet.
The business has been a fixture in Ely since 2003. Over the years, it expanded, opening locations in Virginia, Duluth, Rochester, and North Dakota, as well as offering franchising opportunities.
The goal of the business was “to work with other small businesses to promote healthy lifestyles as well as providing the best spa experience available in the Northwoods.”
The business will be closing its doors on Nov. 25.
“Until then, we’ll continue to care for you the best we can, and we ask for your patience and as we navigate this trying time,” said the Facebook message.
The shop in Ely was busy on Oct. 30, with customers coming in to use up any unused gift cards. Because of the rules surrounding their bankruptcy, the gift cards could only be used on retail items, not on spa services or massage.
Staff at the Ely location were cheerfully assisting customers, and one even apologized profusely to a customer who had just purchased two gift cards two days prior to the closing announcement, noting they would never have sold them if they knew the shop was closing. The staff, they said, were only notified the day prior to when the news was posted on Facebook.
“Pebble Spa has always been about people — about communities, care, and creating peace in the middle of life’s chaos. We are deeply grateful for the incredible staff, loyal guests, and communities who have supported us through every moment of this journey,” Lindsay said.
Current and former staff members the Timberjay spoke with were all shocked by the news.
“I will have been working there for 20 years as of Nov. 16,” said Germaine Gemberling, one of the first two employees that Pebble hired back when they opened in Ely. She received her massage therapist training from Lindsay, who was a licensed teacher and trained many of the Pebble employees.
“I have touched so many beautiful souls while working at Pebble,” she said. “Pebble felt like home for me.” Gemberling said a job where she was able to do work she believed in was amazing, as was working in such a tranquil and healing environment.
“We were helping people physically and therapeutically,” she said. “Right now, I am crying,” she said. “I thought I would so this forever. Doing work I believe in.”
This wasn’t like going to the doctor or dentist, she noted. “Everyone who comes in is so happy to be there.”
“This job was my anchor, my rock,” she said, adding no pun intended. “It is where I felt grounded.” Gemberling noted the spa services were a special treat for their customers, something that not everyone can afford.
Julie Petrzilka worked at Pebble for over five years.
“This is so sad,” she said. “I am still close friends with many of the employees.”
Petrzilka said she has nothing but respect for Lindsay.
“I love Wendy, her whole vibe, her legacy. I can’t wait to see what she does next. She is one of the hardest working people that I’ve ever met. Not just the spa but creating and running the Ely Marathon. She did that with such ease over the years.”
Petrzilka said she views the closure as an indicator of the broader economy.
“The arts and luxury are the first things people cut back on when they are afraid,” she said.
Another former employee, Ann Timmerman, has started a fundraiser for the 17 staffers in Ely and Virginia impacted who are losing their jobs. She now has her own massage business, but she got her start at Pebble. She has set up a GoFundMe account, (https://gofund.me/ba0dc1dba), hoping to raise enough money to give each employee a $100 gift card
“These employees, I’m sure, are going to be working their tails off to help everyone redeem their memberships. They are losing their jobs right before Thanksgiving, right before winter hits.... To most employees, this was their career job.
While most customers appeared to be understanding, the Pebble location in Virginia noted instances of customers acting rudely towards staff.
“We are doing all we can to help you use up your gift cards, schedule appointments and navigate through this,” the Virginia location staff wrote on Facebook. “We ask that you please treat our staff with respect and kindness. Yelling, throwing things and verbally assaulting our retail staff will not be tolerated. To the majority who have shown empathy and compassion, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
As to her future, Lindsay said she and her family are not sure what that will bring.
“No future adventures for us at the moment,” Lindsay said, “just time to heal and get our feet back under us.”