---
title: "Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Coming Ocala, Florida Thanks to Veteran and ER Physician Valerie Gironda"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/a2147bb9-51dd-4e84-9a14-ec3c853a336e
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/hand-stone-massage-and-facial-spa-coming-ocala-florida-thanks-to-veteran-and-er-physician-valerie-gironda-2712039
category: "Spa & massage"
industry: "Beauty & Wellness"
segment: "Spa & massage"
published: 2020-01-30T22:17:40.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:30:32.952Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/975f54497596195e1309e03ee799fe6c9310.jpg
---

# Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Coming Ocala, Florida Thanks to Veteran and ER Physician Valerie Gironda

**TL;DR:** Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is expanding to Ocala, Florida with a new location owned by Alex Kagan and Valerie Gironda. The brand, led by Todd Leff, has over 400 units and aims to make luxurious spa experiences accessible to the masses.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2020-01-30. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/hand-stone-massage-and-facial-spa-coming-ocala-florida-thanks-to-veteran-and-er-physician-valerie-gironda-2712039).*

## Story

**OCALA, Fla. — Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, which makes luxurious spa experiences available to the masses, is expanding its services to Ocala, Florida. Local residents and husband and wife team Alex Kagan and Valerie Gironda** **have signed on to open their first Hand & Stone location in December of 2020.**

**Gironda is a flight surgeon in the Air Force Reserves Guard and an ER physician through Advent Health. She met Kagan while they were both stationed at the Maxwell Airforce base in Montgomery, Alabama. Together, the husband-and-wife team began looking into investment opportunities after moving back to Valerie’s home state of Florida two years ago.**

**Both passionate about health and wellness, Kagan and Gironda turned to Hand & Stone because they wanted to invest in a business of which they were already loyal patrons. Kagan and Gironda are expanding the brand’s presence into a new territory just an hour north of the popular Tampa and Orlando markets.**

**“There is not really a comparable business in the surrounding counties,” said Gironda. “It’s going to give so many people access to the pain release that massage provides without having to travel further distances or use medication.”**

**Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spas specialize in the highest-quality services at affordable prices, making soothing stress relief accessible to more people than ever. Hand & Stone offers deluxe massage plus facials and hair removal experiences, perfect for both beginners and seasoned veterans alike. Hand & Stone locations are open seven days a week, with convenient hours so that wellness is always an option for patrons. The spa also offers a convenient membership package, making regular care for the mind and body an easy choice.**

**“We’re thrilled to bring the Hand & Stone spa experience to the community of Ocala,” said Hand & Stone Vice President of Franchise Development Bob McQuillan. “We make sure every client feels taken care of by customizing the services to their needs. A rejuvenating spa experience can be beneficial for people of all professions and from all walks of life.”**

**Hand & Stone is an over 400-unit spa franchise with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses. Launched in 2004 by passionate physical therapist John Marco and now led by franchise veteran Todd Leff, Hand & Stone now has locations in 28 states and Canada. For more information on Hand & Stone, visit** **www.handandstone.com****. For more information on Hand & Stone’s franchising opportunities, visit**

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- unit expansion (topic)
- franchise development (topic)
- Beauty & Wellness (sector)
- Hand & Stone (company)
- wellness services (topic)
- Todd Leff (person)
- John Marco (person)
- Ocala, Florida (location)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/hand-stone-massage-and-facial-spa-coming-ocala-florida-thanks-to-veteran-and-er-physician-valerie-gironda-2712039). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/a2147bb9-51dd-4e84-9a14-ec3c853a336e).