"My grandfather used to call me "the salt of the earth", Bebe reminisced. For those of you that have never heard that expression it means "very good and honest person". She had a special connection with her grandfather and always spoke of him with highest regards. If memory serves me correctly, he was a minister. They would take walks and he would say to her "remember, to be the salt of the earth."
Fast forward to adulthood and Bebes son asked her "Mom, have you ever heard of a salt cave?" She had not but decided to do some research and was able to visit one in North Carolina.
As a holistic practitioner and yoga instructor, Bebe has lived on the more natural side of life. She once told me that she "made her kids eat broccoli before broccoli was cool." When she visited the salt cave in North Carolina she fell deeper in love with pink himalayan salt and it's therapeutic benefits. She had been using it for years, long before anyone else knew it was good for you.
She recalled having a dream where her grandfather visited her and reminded her about being the "salt of the earth". That dream sparked the vision of Serenity Salt Cave and Healing Center. She wanted to create a space for people to rest, rejuvenate, relax and recharge. And so, the story of it's creation began. The space was found and renovation began. (Fun fact: The space was previously a clogging/dance studio!)
Approximately 48,000 pounds of giant chunks pink himalayan salt rolled up on an 18 wheeler and with the assistance of a company in Canada, the salt cave began to take form. The contractors were from Poland and Bebe communicated with them via Google Translate. She said that it was purely magic to watch the evolution of creation day by day. It took more than 6 months to complete. Each brick was measured and affixed by hand, piece by piece. I can't imagine how cool it must have been to watch this process!
It's around 400 square feet and we are pretty sure that it is the largest found in Georgia. There is approximately 4 inches of loose coarse ground pink salt covering the floor that feels oh-so-good on your feet as you walk across it. Everyone wants to know - "why white socks?" - Truth is, they don't show lint in the salt. Big, purple fuzzy socks tend to shed.
She opened for business in December 2018 and we have gratefully made it through two years of a worldwide pandemic. I know it's because what Bebe created here is so necessary for self-care. People are searching for the quiet within and she has given them the most beautiful space for the best nap to be had.
The moment I love most about this "job" is when I open the door and clients see it for the first time. It's the "OH! WOW!" moments that keep me coming back to "work" day after day. I see stressed people walk into the salt cave and stress-free people walk out of it. I have watched people transform the minute they walk through the door. We have cried, laughed, sang, played music, and in every moment we have been blessed.
There are so many people that are grateful for the quiet relaxation that the salt cave provides. I do hope to see you all soon.
We have appointments available on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at this time but days are subject to change depending on the schedule.
Please follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on daily activities and upcoming events. We open at 10 am. Reservations are necessary and can be made online at www.serenitysaltcave.com or by email at office@serenitysaltcave.com. If you call, please leave a voicemail and I will get back to you as soon as I can. I must share my thanks for the yoga instructors and practitioners who have pitched in to help. I am forever grateful for assistance from our team - Diane Lederman, Joe Hanrahan, Erin McCormick, Nadine Daniel, Emily Gibbs, Parks Kirby, Karen Triana & Chandra Maharaj & Linda Olney.
If you would like to show a little love, we are happily accepting love offerings via Cash App ($saltcavesnellville) & Venmo (@saltcavesnellville). Thank you all for your continued support, blessings and prayers.
With warmest regards,
Becky K.
