Ami Patel, owner of Wake Foot Sanctuary and Spa inside the Embassy Suites at 507 South Gay Street (enter through Union Avenue entrance), searched with her husband, Alpesh Patel, owner of the new downtown Embassy Suites, for businesses that were local or very different from currently available downtown options. On a trip to Asheville, the couple became excited by a unique business they felt might be a very good fit for one of the storefronts surrounding the new hotel.
Situated in the Grove Arcade in Asheville, Wake Foot Sanctuary felt like the perfect fit, and Ami agreed to open the second location of the business as a franchise. She’s excited to introduce downtown Knoxville to the concept and thinks it makes a great addition of fun, unique experiences available to visitors to the center city.
Ami, originally from Meridian, Mississippi, attended Emory University in Atlanta where she received her BA in psychology. She also became certified as a dental hygienist and practiced for ten years in Texas. She met Alpesh through mutual friends and agreed to move to Knoxville when they married in 2007.
Initially Ami worked in a pediatric dental practice, and Alpesh traveled as he built the Kana Hotel Group’s portfolio of properties. She later left her work to travel with him, and the couple decided to start their family. They now have four children seven years old and under.
When the couple discovered Wake in Asheville two years ago, they both loved the concept. Ami said that as they traveled in recent years, she always sought out spas and, rather than asking for her favorite treatments, she always asked for their signature services. She’d never experienced anything quite like this.
The primary service involves forty-five minutes of a soaking treatment for your feet inside hand-hammered, self-sanitizing copper bowls. Guests are welcomed into a softly lit, attractive communal space with semi-private areas for couples or small groups. Ami says the coarse texture of the hand-hammered copper feels good to your feet as you enjoy the warmth of the water, which is replaced with newly-warmed water half way through the treatment. She feels forty-five minutes is a perfect length of time to fit into a fun, downtown outing.
Guests are attended to by certified massage therapists who also offer hand and lower-arm massage, head/neck and shoulder massage, and foot and lower-leg massage. Guests may select a massage to accompany their soak, if they like, and choose between eleven different soaks that include bath salts and a variety of essential oils.
To completely top off the experience, while soaking and enjoying soft music and lighting, plus, perhaps, a massage, beverages are offered for purchase, including a special tea service (offering six different teas), sparkling still water, wine, or champagne.
While the business is service and experience oriented, there is also a line of Wake-branded products offered for sale. The all-natural products are made in North Carolina for the company and include bath salts and shea butter soap and body wash. Additionally, a small line of exclusive accessories such as necklaces and neck wraps are also available. Gift cards are available online and may be used for products or services.
Connect with them on their webpage, Facebook page and Instagram. Spa hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.