With a diverse clientele each day, Gauthier Salon and Wellness Spa employees encounter fascinating life stories and outstanding talents from St. Armand’s Circle and the surrounding area.
Co-owner Sonia Gauthier said Tania Arce, who works downstairs at Settimi’s Gelato, is a great example.
“She has the most beautiful voice,” Gauthier said. “She can sing in Spanish, English and Portuguese. I told her she must come sing on our balcony and share this beautiful gift with everyone. One of the many people in the circle and the field that we want to introduce.”
After several private events, Sonia Gauthier realized that the salon balcony, the only private balcony in the circle, was the perfect place to interact and highlight different people from the area. Ta. Starting in June, Gauthier plans to host events for people in the community to learn, connect and share their talents.
These events are held in collaboration with local businesses and organizations. She currently works for these events at Sarasota’s Alliance Française de Sarasota, Fem City of Sarasota, the “I Love Downtown Sarasota” Facebook group, Sarasota’s jazz clubs, and Lido Beach and St. It is affiliated with the Armands Residents Association.
Through these regional partnerships, events range from listening to jazz, learning about French culture, interacting with experts, teaching young parents self-care, happy hours, and decade-themed dance parties.
Julie Wilson and Sonia Gautier throw candy from the balcony of Gautier Salon & Wellness Spa on October 31, 2023.
This Halloween, Gautier employees threw candy from their balconies to children trick-or-treating at St. Armand’s Circle Fright Night. The Gauthiers also paid homage to their roots by paying homage to the French-Canadian dessert shop Sugar Shack on their balcony. In February, we hosted 50 members of the St. Armands Residents Association and shared our culture with locals by serving them a variety of Canadian maple syrup dishes. These events led Gauthier to want to hold his own balcony parties regularly at the salon.
Gauthier said she is still finalizing plans, but plans to hold her first event in June. She plans on having it once a month for now, but she hopes it will become a bimonthly or weekly event. Anyone who wants to participate can do so, but please be sure to RSVP.
Gauthier and her husband, Serge, opened the salon in 2022 after falling in love with Sarasota during the pandemic. They immigrated from Quebec and were featured on the French-Canadian reality show “Le Grand Move,” or “The Big Move.” The show followed the couple and other Quebecers as they moved from their homeland to other parts of the world. The Gauthier family appeared on the third season of “Le Grand Move,” which focuses on people immigrating to the United States.
Since its camera debut and opening, this salon has grown significantly from just providing hair services. Currently, nail, makeup, massage, and anesthesiology departments are also available. Gauthier said providing community events is the final puzzle piece of their dream.
“Our dream, this was handed to us,” Gauthier said. “Cosmos, God, call it what you will, you have given us the salon here at St. Armand’s Circle. We have discovered this paradise, these people, a life just like a dream. But for us it’s more than a salon. Hosting these events is part of our dream and allows us to share a part of who we are. I think it will open a lot of doors for everyone who participates.”
