News

Welcome to the Neighborhood: Buddies Spa!  

Thursday October 3, 2024

We are excited to announce another destination for all your beauty and relaxation needs has opened here in Mount Vernon Triangle! Buddies Spa, now open at 317 H Street NW, is a full service spa that caters to the entire community, but is particularly a safe space for the LGBTQAI+ community. They offer a full range of services including nails, haircuts, facials, massages, and waxing and are on a mission to create a safe space where people of all walks of life can not only feel comfortable in their own skin, but thrive in it!

We sat down with Buddies owner Kris Otto to learn more about the spa, ask him what community means to him, and what he loves about Mount Vernon Triangle! Read more below:

MVT CID: Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Kris: In 2018 I moved from Vietnam to Washington DC to pursue a new life in America.  I began my career as a nail technician and within six months switched my primary focus to waxing.  As a proud Asian immigrant and member of the LGBTQAI+ community, I founded Buddies in 2022 out of my passion for creating a safe space where people of all walks of life can not only feel comfortable in their own skin, but thrive in it!

MVT CID: Tell us the concept behind Buddies Spa

Kris: Buddies is a full service spa that caters to the entire community, but is particularly a safe space for the LGBTQAI+ community.  Over the years, I have come across many people in the LGBTQAI+ community who have expressed to me that they do not feel comfortable receiving services at a salon or spa, and personally, I have experienced this discomfort as well.  I saw the need for a safe space for our community to go, be pampered, and feel like their most authentic selves.  Hence, Buddies was born!

MVT CID: What does the word “community” mean to you and how do you see it growing here in Mount Vernon Triangle?

Kris: As a community, our job is to collectively use our unique skills and talents to lift each other up.  While Buddies has been serving the LGBTQAI+ community for years, we pride ourselves on being a safe, warm, clean, and welcoming environment for all, and we are very excited to serve the Mount Vernon Triangle community as a whole.  Buddies spa is here to make EVERYONE in our community feel and look their best!

MVT CID: Why Mount Vernon Triangle? What made you decide to open up your business here?

Kris: When the opportunity to move to Mount Vernon Triangle presented itself, we immediately jumped at the chance.  The diversity of the community, public transportation and bike infrastructure, and proximity to so many other small businesses makes this area a perfect place to thrive and serve.  As an added bonus, we have our own parking lot!

MVT CID: Let us know any other information/offers/events you would like us to spread the word on!

Kris: We will be running a great special on hair and nail services as well a gift card promotion from October 5th through October 18th:

Hair and Nail Special
10% off $50 or less
15% off $50 – $100
20% off $100+ (up to $50)

Gift Card Promotion
$100 for $120 value
$200 for $250 value