Columnist Muriel Stevens: An essential visit to Essentials

Wednesday, April 26, 2000 | 9:58 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at muriel@lasvegassun.com or 259-4080.

Canyon Ranch Living Essentials Boutique at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian is the coolest shop. The pleasure begins at the door with a view of the waterfall cascading down the back wall. In front of the waterfall sits a crystal vase filled with fresh flowers. This beguiling vignette is but a hint of the treasures and pleasures to be found here.

Living Essentials is the first of its kind for Canyon Ranch Spa, said Retail Manager/Buyer Alice Mary Bergendorff. "It is the flagship for additional boutiques that will eventually be built across the country. The goal is to set industry standards for health, wellness and retail."

Canyon Ranch Spa Club at the Venetian (an elevator adjacent to the boutique goes to the Spa Club) is another first. This mini version of Canyon Ranch offers spa treatments, a hair salon, a fitness program and a cafe that's open to the public. The award-winning Canyon Ranch Spas in Tucson, Ariz., and Lenox, Mass., the boutique and the Canyon Ranch Spa Club at the Venetian are owned by Mel and Enid Zuckerman, who developed the Tucson property 20 years ago.

Like most boutiques, Living Essentials is not large, but it offers a marvelous selection of products that promote health and wellness, gift items and many surprises. With Bergendorff as my guide I got to see everything. When I marveled at the interesting selection, the charming buyer of wondrous things said, "Everything we sell must benefit body, mind and spirit. Helping the environment is another goal, and we are dedicated to giving back to life by our donations to charities (St. Jude's Ranch for Children is one of many). We're affordable, too. Prices start at $5."

There are so many unusual things here. Some are exclusive to the shop. Opal-like recycled glass jars in different sizes are filled with bath salts that are harvested from an ancient sea discovered 3,000 feet below the landscape in Canada. There are handsome sterling silver and gold "aromatic jewelry" pendants and aromatherapy nightshirts with a pocket sized to house the scent -- a gift package version is available.

There are cunning aroma bears ($35) dressed in exercise gear "for the kids and the young at heart," and the most beautiful therapeutic packs I've ever seen that can be heated in the microwave or chilled in the freezer. Prices for the blue, damask-covered scented soothers begin at $20 for the eye pack; healing oils and candle prices start at $10; aromatic essentials for the feet -- scrubs, soaks and such -- are $10 each.

The home section is captivating. Included are laundry softener fragrances that go into the rinse cycle; sets of three lavender-scented dryer sachets (fabric softener) that each last through 9-10 washes; and the ultimate luxury: lavender sheet spray -- make the bed and spray the sheets with the light, lovely scent. Sweet dreams not included. "Where do you find these enchanting things?" I asked. Said Bergendorff: "When I go on a buying trip I'm like a bloodhound, seeking not only the unusual, but products that benefit customers." The Italian-made reflexology sandals that I bought ($40) have an insole that's said to simulate the acupressure points of the reflexology chart. Clothing items are made of the finest natural fabrics.

Living Essentials, an irresistible shop.