Why We Chose Hollingsworth Park: The Story Behind AO–The Space

Sometimes the biggest decisions in life begin with the smallest moments. For us, it started with an article in a local newsletter, and an impromptu drive after dinner.

In 2018, I came across a story in GVLtoday about the continued development of Hollingsworth Park at Verdae. I had heard of the neighborhood before, but I had never really explored it. At the time, our lease at our previous location on Pleasantburg Drive was approaching its end, and Bud and I had already begun thinking about what the next chapter of our business might look like. One evening, after dinner on Woodruff Road nearby, I mentioned the article to Bud and asked if he'd like to take a drive through the neighborhood. We did, and we were immediately impressed. The beautiful homes, thoughtfully planned streets, green spaces, and overall sense of community were unlike anything we'd experienced at our previous location. In fact, we were so taken with it that we returned the very next morning with our dogs, Louie and Lola, and spent nearly four hours walking around the neighborhood. By the time we left, I knew this was where I wanted our business to be. I sent an email expressing my interest in becoming a tenant in the planned Legacy Square development. And just like that, a new chapter began.

Grateful for Where We Started... Excited for Where We Were Going

Our previous location will always hold a special place in my heart. It's where our little business grew into something much bigger than I had originally imagined. We built relationships, welcomed wonderful clients, and learned countless lessons about running a business. But I also knew it wasn't our forever home.

The building was older, the location presented logistical challenges, and the environment didn't quite reflect the experience I envisioned for our clients. I wanted something different. I wanted a space that felt welcoming, beautiful, thoughtfully designed, and connected to the community around it. And for the first time, I had the opportunity to create that space from the ground up.

Building Our Dream... During a Pandemic

Of course, the road from finding our dream location to actually opening its doors was anything but easy. In early 2020, COVID-19 forced our industry to shut down. Like so many small-business owners, I initially believed the closure would be temporary. So as construction began at the new location, it became clear that we didn’t know how long our current location wouldn’t be permitted to reopen. I had a difficult decision to make: continue paying rent at our old location while waiting for construction to finish… or close that chapter completely, put everything into storage, and trust that the timeline of the build would stay on schedule and our clients would return when we were ready. We chose the latter.

Our equipment, furniture, and supplies went into storage. Our team had no physical location in which to work. And when the state allowed our industry to reopen in May, our new home still wasn't finished due to delays. The phones were ringing. Clients were ready to come back. But we weren't able to welcome them yet. It was one of the most stressful periods of my professional life. Some team members understandably needed to find work elsewhere. I worried about the financial consequences and whether our clients would wait for us. But I believed in what we were building. And when we finally opened in July 2020, our clients showed us just how much those relationships meant. They came back. Not every single person, of course. But enough to remind me why we had taken the chance in the first place.

Looking back, that experience taught me something I still carry with me today: sometimes you have to trust the vision before you can see the outcome.

A Space Designed With Intention

One of the most rewarding parts of moving into Legacy Square was the opportunity to design AO–The Space from the beginning. Rather than adapting to the limitations of an existing building, I could think carefully about how I wanted clients to feel when they walked through our doors. I wanted a destination where beauty, skincare, wellness, and self-care could exist together. A place where someone could come for a customized facial, have their hair done, enjoy a manicure, schedule a massage, or explore other treatments... all within one welcoming environment. But just as importantly, I wanted AO to feel approachable. Professional without being intimidating. Beautiful without being pretentious. Results-driven without losing the personal relationships that made our business special. That's the heart of what we've created at AO–The Space.

Growing Alongside Hollingsworth Park and Verdae

We've now been part of the Hollingsworth Park community for more than six years. And while the surrounding commercial development has taken longer than I originally anticipated, it's exciting to see the next phases beginning to take shape. From the beginning, one of the reasons I believed so strongly in this location was the long-term vision for a walkable community... a place where residents, businesses, and neighbors could connect.

As plans for the surrounding districts and public gathering spaces progress, I'm looking forward to seeing more of that original vision become reality. The possibility of outdoor gatherings, community events, and more activity right outside our doors is especially exciting. For me, this has never been just about occupying a storefront. It's about becoming part of a neighborhood and growing alongside it.

Your Neighborhood Destination for Beauty and Self-Care

Today, AO–The Space brings together a variety of beauty and wellness experiences in Greenville's Hollingsworth Park at Verdae. Whether you're visiting us for professional skincare and HydroDiamond facials, hair services, nail care, massage, spray tans, lash and brow treatments, or simply some much-needed time for yourself, our goal remains the same. We want you to feel welcome, cared for, and confident in the professionals you trust with your services.

You don't have to live in Hollingsworth Park to feel at home here. And you certainly don't need a special occasion to make time for yourself.

Six Years Later... Still Believing in the Vision

When I think back to that evening drive with Bud, followed by our long walk with Louie and Lola the next day, I can't help but smile. We had no idea what the next few years would bring. We certainly couldn't have predicted a pandemic, construction delays, or the challenges of opening a new location during such an uncertain time. But we knew how we wanted the next chapter to feel. And despite everything it took to get here, I wouldn't change the decision.

AO–The Space is more than the business we moved into Legacy Square in 2020. It's a place we dreamed about, took a chance on, and worked incredibly hard to build. And as Hollingsworth Park continues to grow, I'm excited to see what the next chapter holds.

We'd love to welcome you to AO–The Space in Legacy Square, Hollingsworth Park at Verdae, Greenville, South Carolina.

Explore our services and discover what makes AO a little different from the traditional spa experience.