Nitespa Comes 'Full Circle' To Reopen in Venice

Andrew Keegan and Julia Martin partner up to bring a wellness spa to Full Circle Venice. (Photo by Nitespa)

When Nitespa debuted on Abbot Kinney in 2005, it put a fresh spin on the typical day spa. By catering to clientele in the evening hours, owner Julia Martin not only provided beauty treats to locals working a 9-to-5, she created a convivial vibe where manis and pedis went hand in hand with martinis under a glittering disco ball.

The beat went on for several years until many more newcomers got hip to the burgeoning boulevard, and rent increases pushed Nitespa to its next location—Mar Vista. Martin closed her '70s chic Venice bungalow in 2013 and started anew in a sleek, second-story loft in an up-and-coming neighborhood that had also attracted Abbot Kinney's Surfing Cowboys, French 50s 60s and Chocovivo.

"It was such a gorgeous space, architecturally designed and very serene in the treetops," says Martin. "However, I didn't realize a lot of Venetians really won't leave Venice. We lost 75 percent of our client base, and my staff didn't like being secluded."

Martin considered moving back to Venice, but dismal prospects of finding an affordable space to rent led her to consider collaborations and partnerships. Her friend Jeff Weiss, the co-owner of Gumbo Kinney Vintage, introduced her to Andrew Keegan, the founder of Full Circle Venice on Rose Ave., who was also looking for someone to utilize the bottom floor of his community collective. He loved the idea of incorporating a wellness center and healing spa, and the stars were aligned. 

Nitespa then joined forces with Beach Beauty Culture, a hair salon that closed its brick-and-mortar on the Venice Beach Boardwalk in favor of a roving truck offering pay-your-own-price, donation-based cuts and color. Together, Nitespa and Beach Beauty Culture have become one of the only full-service hair and spa destinations in town. And Martin is thrilled to bring back her boho disco vibes to where it all started as she celebrates 10 years stayin' alive.

Nitespa // 305 Rose Ave., Venice 90291