ROBERT LAWRENCE SALON AND SPA: WOODSVILLE’S ONE-STOP SHOP FOR SELF-CARE AND WELLNESS IN THE NEW YEAR
January 23, 2026
Trish Griswold
WOODSVILLE, NH - Each new year presents an opportunity to reflect on the past and set meaningful intentions for the future. While many New Year’s resolutions are centered around eating better and exercising more, the licensed professionals at Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa in Woodsville understand that living a happy, healthy lifestyle also includes self-care and personal wellness.
According to Bridgid Risteen, owner of Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa, in 2016, when Everything But The Cook merged with The Party Store: An Affair To Remember, commercial space in Suite 2 at 91 Central Street became available. Her parents, Kevin and Liz Shelton, owners of the building, began the process of looking for new renters. Bridgid and her friend/personal stylist Cassandra Lemieux were interested in relocating closer to home. One conversation led to another, and a new business venture named in honor of Bridgid’s grandfathers, Robert Shelton and Lawrence Gilbert, opened in November of that same year.
Since then, the salon has grown to include five more practitioners: Kristy Odiorne, Carmen Graham, Carrie Vogt, Hillary Deschamps, and Mallari Young. They each have their own specialty areas and are self-employed, giving them the autonomy to make their own schedules; however, they share one common thread: a love for what they do. Their passion is unmatched, and their kindness and compassion are unwavering as they take great pride in being an integral part of each client’s journey toward improved self-care and overall well-being.
“Being a massage therapist, I feel strong empathy and intuition. It's about trust, being present, and creating connections with my clients,” licensed massage therapist Kristy Odiorne explains. “It reminds me daily of the power of human touch. Helping others feel better, both physically and mentally, is not just my job; it's a purpose that I am very blessed to share.”
For nearly a decade, Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa has been offering clients a vast array of options, adding new, innovative products and services along the way. They currently offer facials, waxing, ear piercing, spray tanning, manicures, pedicures, reiki, massage, lash lifts and tints, dermaplaning, red light therapy, and hair care for the entire family. Product lines include Loma, Paul Mitchell, Moroccan Oil, Matrix, Color Wow, Olaplex, Bain De Terre, Goldie Locks, Redken Brews, It’s a 10, Kenra, Wet Brush, AGlow, Keyano, Dermalogica, and Image Skincare.
However, the personal connections they have with their clients are what make Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa second to none. “This year marks 23 years of doing what I love, helping people, and making them feel heard and safe. My job is so much more than just body work or skincare,” Kristy emphasizes. “It's listening [to my clients] and explaining things in a way they understand. We talk through injuries and body mechanics, and I try to give them the tools to help facilitate movement and manage pain or stress…or maybe it's helping them learn to allow themselves to relax and leave all their worries and stress at the door.”
“When someone is having a crappy day and they sit down to either get their hair done or have a mani-pedi and then leave feeling so much better, it’s like a therapy session,” Cassandra adds. “Sometimes that’s what you need for your mental health.”
This premiere level of care and compassion reverberates throughout the salon, the community, and beyond as the professionals at Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa are actively involved in supporting local school groups, fundraising events, community organizations, and more. They network with Riverbend Career and Technical Center’s cosmetology program in Bradford, VT, offering a high-quality, hands-on apprenticeship experience to promising young cosmetologists.
Most recently, they assisted Brynn Bogie, an eighth grader at Blue Mountain Union School in Wells River, VT, with her science fair project focusing on “Which lasts longer - professional grade hair dye or box dye?” Bridgid donated hairpieces, professional-grade hair dye, foils, applicator brushes, and other supplies. She also spent time with Brynn at the salon, helping her learn the steps to conduct her experiment. “I couldn’t have completed my project without her,” Brynn explains, grateful for the resources and the opportunity afforded to her.
When asked to reflect on the success of her business, Bridgid says, “I like that we can be a resource and a hub for anyone. I love that it’s not the same every day. It’s always something different. Everyone’s personality is different. Everyone's hair is different. Everyone’s needs are different, and we’re always there for them, through the good times and the bad times.”
Author’s Note: Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa is open six days a week with walk-ins and same-day appointments available Tuesday through Friday. Hillary and Mallari are accepting new haircare clients, and Kristy is accepting new skincare clients. For more information about products and services, “like” them on Facebook, reach out via Facebook Messenger, or call the salon at (603) 747-3500. Online booking options are available for some stylists.
According to Bridgid Risteen, owner of Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa, in 2016, when Everything But The Cook merged with The Party Store: An Affair To Remember, commercial space in Suite 2 at 91 Central Street became available. Her parents, Kevin and Liz Shelton, owners of the building, began the process of looking for new renters. Bridgid and her friend/personal stylist Cassandra Lemieux were interested in relocating closer to home. One conversation led to another, and a new business venture named in honor of Bridgid’s grandfathers, Robert Shelton and Lawrence Gilbert, opened in November of that same year.
Since then, the salon has grown to include five more practitioners: Kristy Odiorne, Carmen Graham, Carrie Vogt, Hillary Deschamps, and Mallari Young. They each have their own specialty areas and are self-employed, giving them the autonomy to make their own schedules; however, they share one common thread: a love for what they do. Their passion is unmatched, and their kindness and compassion are unwavering as they take great pride in being an integral part of each client’s journey toward improved self-care and overall well-being.
“Being a massage therapist, I feel strong empathy and intuition. It's about trust, being present, and creating connections with my clients,” licensed massage therapist Kristy Odiorne explains. “It reminds me daily of the power of human touch. Helping others feel better, both physically and mentally, is not just my job; it's a purpose that I am very blessed to share.”
For nearly a decade, Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa has been offering clients a vast array of options, adding new, innovative products and services along the way. They currently offer facials, waxing, ear piercing, spray tanning, manicures, pedicures, reiki, massage, lash lifts and tints, dermaplaning, red light therapy, and hair care for the entire family. Product lines include Loma, Paul Mitchell, Moroccan Oil, Matrix, Color Wow, Olaplex, Bain De Terre, Goldie Locks, Redken Brews, It’s a 10, Kenra, Wet Brush, AGlow, Keyano, Dermalogica, and Image Skincare.
However, the personal connections they have with their clients are what make Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa second to none. “This year marks 23 years of doing what I love, helping people, and making them feel heard and safe. My job is so much more than just body work or skincare,” Kristy emphasizes. “It's listening [to my clients] and explaining things in a way they understand. We talk through injuries and body mechanics, and I try to give them the tools to help facilitate movement and manage pain or stress…or maybe it's helping them learn to allow themselves to relax and leave all their worries and stress at the door.”
“When someone is having a crappy day and they sit down to either get their hair done or have a mani-pedi and then leave feeling so much better, it’s like a therapy session,” Cassandra adds. “Sometimes that’s what you need for your mental health.”
This premiere level of care and compassion reverberates throughout the salon, the community, and beyond as the professionals at Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa are actively involved in supporting local school groups, fundraising events, community organizations, and more. They network with Riverbend Career and Technical Center’s cosmetology program in Bradford, VT, offering a high-quality, hands-on apprenticeship experience to promising young cosmetologists.
Most recently, they assisted Brynn Bogie, an eighth grader at Blue Mountain Union School in Wells River, VT, with her science fair project focusing on “Which lasts longer - professional grade hair dye or box dye?” Bridgid donated hairpieces, professional-grade hair dye, foils, applicator brushes, and other supplies. She also spent time with Brynn at the salon, helping her learn the steps to conduct her experiment. “I couldn’t have completed my project without her,” Brynn explains, grateful for the resources and the opportunity afforded to her.
When asked to reflect on the success of her business, Bridgid says, “I like that we can be a resource and a hub for anyone. I love that it’s not the same every day. It’s always something different. Everyone’s personality is different. Everyone's hair is different. Everyone’s needs are different, and we’re always there for them, through the good times and the bad times.”
Author’s Note: Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa is open six days a week with walk-ins and same-day appointments available Tuesday through Friday. Hillary and Mallari are accepting new haircare clients, and Kristy is accepting new skincare clients. For more information about products and services, “like” them on Facebook, reach out via Facebook Messenger, or call the salon at (603) 747-3500. Online booking options are available for some stylists.
Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa is Woodsville’s hub for self-care and well-being. They offer a vast array of beauty products and therapeutic services including hair, nail, and skin care. Bridgid Risteen, Hillary Deschamps, and Cassandra Lemieux (pictured L-R) are three of the salon’s five licensed cosmetologists. TBWS/Trish Griswold
Kristy Odiorne specializes in massage therapy (Swedish, deep tissue, warm stone, reflexology, and cupping), facials, extractions, dermaplaning, dermabrasion, high frequency, skin care, spray tanning, red light treatments, lash lift and tint, brow tinting, and waxing. She is seen giving a facial massage to Laurie Dirienzo of Woodsville. TBWS/Trish Griswold
Sara Lang (seated) is a long-time client of Robert Lawrence Salon and Spa owner Bridgid Risteen. “It is a great example of a community business,” Sara says. “The reach of Bridgid’s salon isn’t just within the walls of this salon; it’s outreach and supporting community events. It in itself is a community. When you come here, you see people that you know, and there’s something here for everyone.”
Cosmetologist Cassandra Lemieux is the salon’s mani-pedi specialist. She offers shellac gel polish, gel overlay on natural nails, regular polish, and nail art in an assortment of colors, patterns, and styles.
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