WESTLAKE, Oh. – The doors of Mi Bella, a wellness spa located in the Bay West Crossing plaza in Westlake, have closed permanently, leaving dozens of clients unable to access hundreds of dollars they had deposited into spa savings accounts. The sudden closure has left many feeling far from the relaxation and wellness they once sought at the establishment.
Multiple clients have reported having significant funds trapped in what the spa marketed as convenient “savings accounts” for prepaid service packages. This “membership club”, where they auto-debit 100.00 a month and they “bank” that money for you to be used on your upcoming services, and for this membership you also get discounts etc.
Most Med Spas have a similar program…. accounts, which ranged from $200 to over $800 according to affected customers, were promoted as a way for regular clients to save money on treatments while ensuring they always had funds available for their wellness needs.
A client, Anna, whose last name I will remit, explained, “I had $600 in my account, and when I called to book my usual appointment, the phone just went straight to voicemail. Their phone number is now disconnected, and the owner is ignoring refund requests.”
Another affected client who wished to remain anonymous said, “When I drove to the plaza, the space was closed and locked.”
“No Warning, No Communication”
What makes this closure particularly upsetting for clients is the complete lack of communication from the business owner. There were no advance notices, no emails to account holders, and no posted signs explaining the situation.
Clients discovered the closure in a vague and cryptic mass text message.
The Bay West Crossing plaza location, which had been operating for several years, appeared to be thriving as recently as last month. Social media accounts for the business have gone dark, and the spa’s phone lines have been disconnected.
Megan Brudder, owner of BRB Me Time in Rocky River had this to say, “As both a nurse practitioner and the owner of BRB Me Time, I understand how devastating it can be when clients invest in their self-care and are left feeling hurt or taken advantage of.”
Brudder continued, “My approach has always been rooted in transparency, safety, and ethical practices. Every client at BRB Me Time knows exactly what they’re receiving, and I make sure their treatments are intentional—not transactional.”
She went on to share her feeling regarding her clients, “I feel strongly that people deserve to feel confident and cared for, and that trust is something you should never lose in the process.”
“If anyone affected by this situation needs a safe space to continue their aesthetic journey, my doors are always open, with a promise of ethical practices and exceptional care.”
This kind of situation damages the reputation of our entire industry. Ethical med spas invest in proper business practices, maintain adequate insurance, and never put client funds at risk.
Conservative estimates suggest that dozens of clients may be collectively out thousands of dollars. Many clients had been encouraged to maintain higher account balances, with monthly deductions from their account, to take advantage of package deals and discounts offered for prepaid services.
“They really pushed these savings accounts as a convenience,” explained another affected client.
Legal and Consumer Protection Concerns
The sudden closure raises questions about consumer protection and the regulation of prepaid service accounts at wellness businesses. Unlike gift cards, which have some legal protections in Ohio, these spa “savings accounts” appear to have operated in a regulatory gray area.
Consumer advocates recommend that clients affected by the closure:
- Document all transactions and account balances
- File complaints with the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section
- Contact their credit card companies if recent deposits were made by card
- Consider consulting with an attorney regarding potential civil remedies
This closure is part of a concerning trend in the wellness industry, where businesses collect large sums in advance through membership fees, package deals, and savings accounts, only to close suddenly and leave clients without recourse.
For the affected clients in Westlake, the immediate concern is recovering their lost funds. File a report at Westlake Police Department first.
Several clients are exploring the possibility of filing a class-action lawsuit, while others are working with their banks and credit card companies to dispute recent charges.
The empty space in Bay West Crossing Plaza now serves as a stark reminder that when it comes to prepaid wellness services, clients may be the ones left feeling unwell when businesses prioritize profits over people.
Local authorities encourage anyone affected by this closure to file reports with the Westlake Police Department and the Ohio Attorney General’s office to ensure the matter is properly investigated.
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