Repairs are currently in progress at a spa in Tarrytown following an incident in which an SUV crashed into the establishment. The business is optimistic about reopening its doors in early May.
On Friday morning, work crews returned to Face Foundrie to begin repairs. New walls were being erected inside the spa, while plywood temporarily replaced the shattered front glass.
Located in a shopping center at the intersection of Exposition Boulevard and Westover Road, the spa was struck by an SUV shortly before 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Both an employee of the spa and the driver of the SUV required extraction from the wreckage, aided by a customer from a nearby dry cleaner.
A representative from the Austin Police Department confirmed that the investigation into the crash is ongoing, and, as of Friday afternoon, no traffic citations had been issued. Fortunately, both the driver and the spa employee sustained only minor injuries, with the employee expected to fully recover. The identity of the driver has not been disclosed.
Witnesses reported that the driver indicated she had recently acquired the electric SUV involved in the accident.
Business Resilience
In a statement regarding the incident, Face Foundrie expressed determination to resume operations next month. “Our goal is to reopen in early May, provided that all construction proceeds as planned. For the time being, we are directing our clients to our South Congress location. Our staff will be shifting schedules starting Monday, and we are eager to serve our clients at Soco this month! The community’s support has been incredibly uplifting, and we are truly grateful. It was a frightening experience, but it could have been much worse,” said Cheyanne Thurston from Face Foundrie.
The statement also acknowledged the support received from clients and members: “A huge shout out to everyone who has rallied around us. We wouldn’t be able to do this without you,” Thurston added.
Local Impact
<pNearby, at Westbank Dry Cleaners, manager Caesar Jimenez noted that while they remain open, they are also dealing with some damage from the crash. “Business has slowed down a bit. We have construction workers in the back repairing our wall,” Jimenez explained. “I’ve been here for five years, and just when you think you’ve seen it all, something always surprises you.”
This was not the first crash to occur at the shopping complex. Tarrytown Pharmacy experienced a similar situation a few years ago and was struck again in December. Additionally, in 2021, a vehicle veered off the road at the intersection of Exposition and Westover, crashing into a nearby gas station and igniting a fire, though the teenage driver escaped unharmed.
<p“It’s happened many times, but it’s still shocking when it does,” remarked Crystal Morris, assistant cashier manager at Tarrytown Pharmacy. The small parking lot of the shopping center is infamous for its narrow lanes and tight parking spots, raising questions about whether this contributed to the recent crash.
<p“People just aren’t paying attention to what they’re doing. Take your time. It’s a vehicle, and it can be deadly,” Morris cautioned.
