Jencare Skin Farm, the island's first multi-service, multi-award winning spa, on Monday opened its newest location in the departure lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA).

It joins branches in Florida and New York in the US and the headquarters at Hope Road, St Andrew. And, plans are in the works for a second Florida location later this year.

The cost to design, construct, equip and style the store, came in just under $9 million and the result is a state-of-the-art facility that is comparable to similar facilities in other international airports. When The Gleaner visited the shop Wednesday, owner, Jennifer Samuda, and a staff of four, were busy attending to customers, as well as introducing the facility to many 'long-timers', who were waiting to catch flights.

Brainchild of her husband

Work on the facility began in November last year, said Samuda, who noted that the store plan was the brainchild of her husband/company director, Lloyd Samuda, who runs the manufacturing side of the business. He got the idea for the location from a friend who also has a shop at the airport. "When we contacted the manager of the complex, we were told, 'we are also looking for you,' so it was a perfect fit," Samuda said. The start-up process was smooth, no red-tape or delays.

Opening hours will be the same as the airport's - from 5:30 am until after the last flight at nights.

- Barbara Ellington