The return of Ruhe Haus

Editor's note: A version of this story will appear in the 2026 Destination Huron magazine to be published later this month. HURON — A near-death incident paired with other life complications forced Erika McGuire to close her dream business. On her road to recovery, McGuire incorporated many methods she's mastered as a seasoned professional to personally heal. Fast-forward to the present day, and she's overcome those obstacles to resume pursuing what she loves: caring for others and making them feel beautiful. The rebirth of Ruhe Haus McGuire recently reopened her luxury spa, Ruhe Haus Spa and Wellness, at 103 Wall St. in Huron. It's just off North Main Street by Pier Pub. Similar to her prior location with the same name in Sandusky, McGuire performs facials; hair and body treatments, which include infrared sauna sessions; body scrubs; and relaxation massages. Officially beginning in the health and beauty field 20 years ago, the 2005 Sanduksy St. Mary Central Catholic High School graduate first developed a passion for cosmetology as a child. "With my friends at school, for dances and proms, I always did their hair and nails," McGuire said. "I just wanted to go into cosmetology and see where it would take me, and it completely transformed my life." After an initial one-on-one consultation, McGuire can customize skin care treatments to any individual seeing her while keeping two collective goals in mind for all clients: offer clinically effective treatments to alleviate skin concerns and provide a calming experience. "I emphasize heavily on nervous system regulation and emotional relaxation," said McGuire, calling herself an "out-of-the-box" cosmetologist who often sees clients with issues ranging from acne, aged skin, dead skin, dry skin, pigmentation and facial tension. "The details I have woven into my treatments are meant to help my clients understand that real change occurs when we involve the entire being, physical and emotional," she added. McGuire explained what she means. "Sustainable, real change — even at the surface level — starts from within, no matter what surface treatment they receive. If we're not incorporating nutrition, lifestyle and emotionality, then the results will only ever be temporary. I educate my clients on the whys and the hows and give them the tools to keep seeing results for a long time." It ties into McGuire's overall mission and goals at Ruhe Haus. "Feeling better about ourselves can completely change our confidence," she said. "Even though I have a luxury spa, what you get here shouldn't be considered a luxury. It should be what they deserve." McGuire then dispelled a common misconception. "I want people to think of the beauty industry as not materialistic or vain but about the entire being and being confident and having a better understanding of our bodies," she said. "If we can better understand the problems and address the concerns, then we can live a better life and find that long-term solution that works for all." Triumphing over tragedies In October 2022, about a year after opening Ruhe Haus in Sandusky, McGuire survived a horrific incident. While driving by herself, she traveled underneath the Columbus Avenue underpass — a split-second before a train derailment occurred above her. "All of a sudden, I saw all the stuff falling off the train," McGuire said. "I stopped my car under the bridge. I got out and ran away. But then I ran back to see my car, which was smoking." A good Samaritan stayed with a distraught McGuire until two police officers arrived on the scene. While she didn't show signs of physical impairment, McGuire now began battling mental health issues. "I was diagnosed with PTSD. I was terrified with what had happened," McGuire said. "I had to go into therapy because my triggers, the sound of trains, triggered me to the point where I would be stressed and shaky." Entering 2023, McGuire continued to see clients but on a limited basis. Complicating matters, she then fell down her home's stairs, which caused a dislocated shoulder and torn rotator cuff. Because of her physical pain and mental anguish, McGuire decided to shut down Ruhe Haus in Sandusky. At the time, she never considered reopening the business. During her therapy sessions, McGuire went through various stages and procedures to repair nerve damage, which required her to relax and regain confidence — a tactic and outcome she always strives to achieve with her own clients. In a true role reversal, on her self-healing journey, McGuire also gained a new perspective, more empathy and renewed appreciation for her clients. "I just kept getting better and better, and now, I feel like I am a completely different person," McGuire said. "I dealt with confidence issues over the embarrassment of opening a business and having to close it so suddenly, but it made me so much more resilient. It made me love what I do even more because it gave me a whole new appreciation of being able to be on the same level as my clients — a better understanding of what they are going through, so I can treat them better." After two years of triumphing over those internal and external struggles, McGuire reached a point in her life where she wanted to reopen Ruhe Haus. "A great opportunity came to me in Huron. It was almost like perfect timing," McGuire said. "I am back and better than ever. I am so excited and thankful for the clients that I had in the first place and the ones who have found me and referred me. I'm also excited to see new people." McGuire takes new clients, and people can book by visiting ruhehausllc.com. She promises that anyone who comes to see her will have her trust. In return, she'll serve people to make them feel relaxed and more confident about themselves — two end-goals she now values more than ever before. "I realized through what I've been through and experienced in my life that I always felt like I had no voice. I let that feeling drive emotional heartache and repressed grief. When I broke through this with the help of therapy and inner reconciliation, I decided I would never let anyone feel that way," McGuire said. She continued: "No matter what my clients' concerns are — big, small, skin, body, hair, marriage, parenting, personal — I will be a voice for them and remind them they are always seen, heard and are worthy of the time given. My clients always leave feeling more like a friend than a patient." What's in a name? McGuire gave some insight into the business name Ruhe Haus Spa and Wellness. "The name 'Ruhe Haus' is a translation of 'healing house,' or 'quiet/peace house.' I truly hope to, in the future, expand my 'haus' to provide integrated wellness services to the town and be able to offer so much more in the field of integrated health and therapy."