Press Room

Vanguard Businesses Offer a Host of Pleasures

As the community has watched the colorful buildings at Crescent Village’s Town Center rise, new neighbors have become friends and the question everyone in town seems to be asking is this: What stores and restaurants will be opening there?

The first part to that much-anticipated answer came in February, when Eugene’s bello day spa & salon reopened its doors and welcomed customers to its beautifully relocated urban sanctuary in the Village. In May, bello will be joined by two inspired “sister” eateries, Mezza Luna Pizzeria and Lago Blu Gelato. These two locally owned restaurants will offer patrons of Eugene’s premiere New Urban development further opportunity to rest, eat and savor the moment.

And of course, stay tuned for future Crescent Village retailer profiles. After all, it wouldn’t be any fun to let you in on all of our secrets at once!

Mezza Luna Pizzeria

Mezza Luna Pizzeria, a wildly successful New York-style pizza shop on Pearl Street, will begin tossing full moons of dough into the air at Crescent Village in early May, says co-owner Sandy Little. He and his wife Kelley Blewster and John and Jennifer Fitzgerald opened their downtown Eugene location in January 2005 to rave reviews and repeat customers. The pizzas-baked on ceramic stones and bearing such names as The Boot and Happy Howlee-rival the best that Manhattan’s Upper West Side has to offer. Beyond selling pizza deliciose by the pie or ample slice, Mezza Luna offers calzone, sumptuous appetizers, gargantuan freshly tossed salads, micro brewed beer on tap and Italian, Californian and Oregon wines by the glass or bottle. Visit Mezza Luna on the Web at www.mezzalunapizzeria.com » or call 541.684.8900.

Lago Blu Gelato

Cool and refreshing, it’s no mistake that the image conjured by the name of Eugene’s only gelato shop, Lago Blu, is one of a pristine azure lake high in the Italian Alps. Co-owner Kelley Blewster says the idea of opening an artisan gelateria (pronounced “gell a ter EE a”) next door to Mezza Luna in Crescent Village came to her very naturally, after she visited such a shop in Dallas, Texas with her sister, and was enthralled. At Lago Blu, slated to open on the same day in May as Mezza Luna, Kelley and business partner Keri Lake will offer a tantalizing variety of gelatos including the classic Italian flavors-pistachio, chocolate, hazelnut and vanilla-as well as a weekly rotation of specialty flavors such as cinnamon cappuccino and black cherry zinfandel. Customers will get to choose from 36 flavors, all told, including several fruit-based sorbettos. Espresso drinks and home-made fudge will be among the offerings, as well, making Lago Blu the ideal “next stop” after dinner at Mezza Luna-or a spa treatment at bello just down the street.

bello day spa & salon

Ocean green walls, purple orchids, and the sound of water invite clients of bello day spa & salon to breathe deeply and let go. The harmonious, quiet dŽcor intimates the quality of experience awaiting bello customers. Whether through a hydra-quench facial, seascape pedicure, or Hawaiian hot stone massage therapy, clients can forget life’s stresses and relax, recharge and rejuvenate through services designed to indulge the senses and soothe the soul. The popular spa-formerly “hidden” in the back portion of Reed & Cross-offers more space and ambiance at its new 4,100 square-foot storefront location. A remarkable spectrum of services includes hair design, waxing, makeup, hand and foot care, massage therapy, skin care and body treatments. Since opening the spa more than five years ago, owners Stacey Conlon and Kenda Mason have quietly built up a strong and faithful clientele that continue to travel from as far as Corvallis, Florence and Roseburg to this new tranquil haven in the heart of Crescent Village. Bello day spa & salon is located at 2746 Shadow View Drive. Visit bello online at www.bellospa.com », or call 541.345.0551.