19.02.2007

Tony Goldshmid, or Tony G. as he is known to his friends, left his native Russia in the 1970s looking for a better home and life for his family.

He left the country during the height of the Communist regime. He says his dream has long been to open a Russian banya, a traditional pastime of his home country.

That dream has become a reality for Goldshmid and his family recently when they opened the Russian Banya at 2515 E. Rosemeade Pkwy. in Carrollton.

Banya is another word for bathhouse or sauna, and Goldshmid says the unique business is the first of its kind in the Metroplex. The traditional Russian experience focuses on using natural ingredients along with traditional steam to help promote health.

Goldshmid’s Russian Banya, Spa and Café features private lockers and showers, an adjoining full-service café and recreation area and three types of saunas n Russian, Finnish and Turkish.

The Russian steam room holds a wood-burning masonry stove and is kept above 200 degrees with 40-65 percent humidity. The cedar-lined Finnish sauna stays between 180-210 degrees with 5 or 10 percent humidity. The Turkish sauna is a wet steam room kept at 90-110 degrees with 100 percent humidity.

The saunas use birch, oak and eucalyptus oils in the steam rooms for their aromatic use. In the Russian sauna, the water infused with the essential eucalyptus oil can be poured over the hot stones resting atop the wood-burning stove. The water poured over the hot stones creates a steam which can even help with illnesses such as colds and upper respiratory infections.

After using the saunas, Goldshmid invites clients to dine in the café or sip loose leaf organic teas, all with different purposes.

“It’s very healthy,” he said, regarding the experience. “You’re building your immune system the natural way.”

Goldshmid, 47, said he had open heart surgery at age 40. He regularly uses the saunas and tries to eat healthy to help keep his immune system in good health. He owns the sauna with his son, Francis, and wife, Gale.

“This is a family business meant for families,” Goldshmid said.

The Russian Banya daily fee is $25 per person. The Russian Café menu includes authentic dishes from Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, and menu prices range from $8-$17. The Russian Banya also offers massage therapy for an additional cost. For information, call 214-483-5050 or visit www.russianbanyaofdallas.com.