Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
Woodhouse Day Spa, a new luxuary spa, is being built on the site located next to Victory Pointe at the corner of Osceola and West Avenues, across from the Clermont Historic Village. Local Clermont business owner Darren Johnson has already started construction of the spa. Victory Coast Hotel, a 100-room hotel, is also planned to be built close to the spa on the corner of Minneola/West Avenues.
Darren W. Johnson grew up in Tampa, with family from the Sarasota area. He joined the US Marines when he was 17, while working as a jet mechanic until he was 21. After his military stint, he got certified with a bartender’s degree and he started to work in the hospitality business. After working as a truck driver for a Fort Lauderdale event company, he successfully started to help set up large event productions. Now in his 38th year working in the professional hospitality industry, he has no plans to look back.
Johnson met and married his wife Karen McGuire Johnson of Clermont, before moving here. Together they own and operate Darren W. Johnson Productions, an internationally respected corporate events production company. This remains an active full-service event management and production company specializing in event planning, including the design and execution of corporate events, sporting event hospitalities and public events. They also launched The Event U, which provides real-world event education to corporations, schools and individuals. The Event U’s courses, in-person workshops and college curriculum provide the event management expertise.
Johnson is the owner of the popular Clermont Brewing Company, located at 750 W. DeSoto, in Downtown Clermon.
Clermont Woodhouse Day Spa, is part of a national chain of spas, that provides a tranquil, healthy and transformational environment for its guests. The planned 6,000 square foot, two-story facility will have 15 private treatment rooms and will offer a complete range of spa therapies including numerous massage therapies, signature skincare treatments and spa retreat packages with specialty body, hand and foot treatments for women and men.
Johnson plans to open the spa by the third quarter of 2021.
Before opening next year, Darren said he will hold a job fair to recruit a professional staff, while holding ongoing educational workshops to keep the team up-to-date and the facility state-of-the-art.
If approved by Clermont City Council, Johnson also has plans to build Clermont Victory Coast Events Center, on Lake Minneola.
For more information, contact Darren W. Johnson at 352-242-3870, darren@dwj-p.com. Visit: www.darrenwjohnson.com, www.theeventu.com, www.clermontbrewingcompany.com and https://www.woodhousespas.com/.
