Beshe'-Bath, Body & Spa Products
Lakewood is well known for its small businesses that embody personality, charm, and that small town feeling that Lakewoodites and out-of-towners are drawn to. In difficult times economically for the nation, with businesses small and large closing in every town and big city, small businesses continue to pop up in Lakewood. Cereal bars, Green gifts, party places, consignment, high-end gifts and more have emerged on Detroit in the last few months. Madison has produced lit-up stunning windows to replace empty storefronts, from gorgeous Vintage/Antiques to new Salons, party place, gift shops, high-end consignment, spa body products, and more, to add to the plethora of good eateries, pubs, and eclectic mom and pop businesses. One newer business, Beshe Bath and Body, at Madison Ave (pronounced Bayshay) opened doors in October to a small shop overflowing with aromatherapy for all the senses and a charm that resonates the wholesome side of Lakewood. Beshe specializes in homemade bath and body products with natural ingredients your skin longs for, at drug store prices! Bath Products range from shampoos, body washes, bath powders, body sprays, milk and honey lotions, body mud, honey almond facial scrubs, heat wraps and masks, soy candles, and more. My favorites were the Snowman, Snowflake and Santa soaps made with milk and honey that are so affordable you can stock up for all your favorite teachers, gift exchanges, family members, etc. When you lather on soap or lotion that is filled with natural ingredients, you will immediately feel the difference from store-bought cheaper versions that don't sink in or have added mineral oil that is drying.
Other pampered items include specialty robes that can be engraved, slippers, and relaxation CD's for the bath, including belly dancing music for after the bath! The charm of the store includes unique and lovely hand-embroidered silk blouses by a local artisan at incredible prices, hand-made jewelry, and semi-precious and precious stones for males and females. Because owner Nichole Flagg is a young mom herself, she has a play area in the back of the store for busy moms to shop while their child plays in their view. When I first stopped in to say “hello” before she opened, she had her sleeves rolled up and her hair pulled back while she was transforming the empty storefront one wall at a time with a calming mint green paint that blends with the gold metallic antique tile ceiling. Nicole stated that she had dreamt and planned for two years to open a store in Lakewood, after numerous craft shows and a kiosk cart downtown at the Galleria. Her products include jewelry, bath and body for both sexes. “We also allow for customers to create their own gift baskets. This is a perfect gift for baby/bridal showers, anniversaries, or any holiday. For those who want unscented products, such as those with sensitive skin, they are readily available for purchase. But for those who want to enjoy fragranced products, Beshe offers the chance for customers to blend their own scents, or choose from mixtures offered by the store. In addition, the spa offers printed material to guide first time aroma mixers through the process.”
A lifelong Lakewood resident herself, Nicole loves the city and greets all with a warm welcome. She plans to expand Behe's line by adding products like bamboo towels, pajamas, spa pillows, herb/potpourri bar, books, incense, linen spray, pet soap, and of course, more fragrances and essential oils. Because all of the packaging is recyclable, there are plans in the works to offer a discount to customers who bring in their empty bottles to buy more of Beshe's products. As a private company that produces its own line, all bottling and packaging is done at the store. There is a pre-fragranced side, and on the other side there is a blending bar including fragrances, essential oils, and essential oil blends. You can mix your own combination of oils and purchase it, or add it to unscented products.
Beshe started with a major goal in mind regarding its product line: it should be affordable for anyone to pamper themselves. In essence, it’s trying to offer a salon quality product for a drug store price. As a constant reminder of this goal, Beshe's Mission Statement is always posted, as follows:
"Beshe is devoted to enhancing the lives of today's busy women. We are committed to well-being, peace and tranquility to you through our products in a way that will make you feel good about being you; that will make your life a little more beautiful even if only for a moment. Our products and style are distinctive, as well as the consistently high level of quality. We strive to make your experience a pleasant one, with regards to keeping up with current trends, as well as creating our own.”
In fact, “Beshe” was named after the Egyptian God “Be” who was known for pampering and taking care of himself and of course was combined with “she” to include the female for all ages. With prices starting at $1 it is a nice shop to take kids to pick out teacher, family and friend gifts. Nicole participated in LIA's recent artwalk and continues to display art for a local artist on the wall. She is one who thrives on working together with other businesses to continue to revitalize Madison, so she will be participating in upcoming events of MAMA, MBA and LIA!
Beshe is located in the 15700 block of Madison, (15707) just a few doors down from Goddess Blessed with ample parking in the front, side and back Her hours are: M, T, TH, F, S 10-7.