THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007

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Park Ridge's XO Glow Tan Offers Full Skin Treatments

By CRAIG ADAMS

Journal Reporter

A new tanning salon in Park Ridge features many services and a dual meaning/dual language name.

XO Glow Tan, 129 S. Northwest Hwy., held a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Thursday, Nov. 29. The name has both a Greek and English meaning, according to Manager Maria Plevritis. "In Greek, exo means outer," she explained. "We have you walking out looking glowing." However, she and her mom, co-owner Georgia Plevritis decided to leave just the letters XO. "Everyone knows that means hugs and kisses; it's easier for people to remember."

The salon's offerings include tanning in top of the line tanning beds, facials, body waxing, eyebrow threading and tinting, and henna tattooing. "It's an awesome place," Plevritis said. "The facials are amazing. Everything we offer here, I've tested."

XO Glow Tan opened in a store-front that formerly held another salon. Plevritis said they remodeled the business and replaced all the equipment.

"People don't realize it's been remodeled," Plevritis said. She added the owner of the previous salon now works at the new store performing airbrush tanning. "She has a solution she sprays over your skin," she explained, "that lets the melanin rise to your skin. It's pretty popular."

Plevritis is enjoying her work, but it's not something she expected. "It was very random," she said of being named manager. "I go to school at DePaul, too." Although managing a tanning salon is "not something I thought I'd be doing," she added, "I love everybody that I work with."

She also loves the location of the store. "I love Park Ridge; it's so cute," she said. "I love being in Park Ridge; it's a little community, everyone knows someone." She added, "Everybody that comes in was referred by someone else in town."