Steve Lorch/Courier

Escape Wellness Spa owner Carla Cannon, left, is pictured with her staff.

By Steve Lorch
For The Courier

slorch@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — If you’re like most of us, your life is pretty busy — too busy, actually. Carla Cannon at Escape Wellness Spa in downtown Pickens wants to change that.

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“The world has become way toO hectic,” the 43-year-old West Virginia native says. “People aren’t sitting on their porches anymore. We want to give everyone a chance to step away from that world for a minute.”

After graduating from massage school in 1999, Cannon felt called to start the spa, which opened its doors in 2008.

“I simply wanted to help people feel better,” she said.

Escape Wellness Spa serves as a mini-retreat, where people can go to get refreshed and rejuvenated. With two massage therapists and an esthetician, Escape offers orthopedic massages, facials and body and detox treatments (body wraps, ionic foot detoxes, etc.).

“The detoxes help decrease lactic acid and calcium buildup to increase your energy and make you feel better,” explained Cannon.

Situated along Ann Street, Escape Wellness Spa resides in an old house that dedicated clients helped to remodel and restore. As Carla puts it, “This place was truly a labor of love — a team effort.”

That sentiment extends to her business philosophy as well.

“We are a small business with a huge heart for our community and for our clients’ wellness,” said Cannon.

Although the place has a quaint, relaxing feel, Escape Wellness Spa is also equipped with the latest technologies in spa treatment.

“We offer MandeliClear Peel facials and SWiCH skin rejuvenation to help with acne scarring, aging and hyperpigmentation problems,” Cannon said. “We are also Reiki and reflexology certified.”

In the future, Escape hopes to offer even more services, including wellness education classes.

“We already have an extensive nail treatment setup and are currently looking for a nail technician to add to our team,” Cannon said.

If you’re looking for rejuvenation, or simply a chance to get away from it all for a moment, you may want to plan your escape today. Walk-ins are welcome.

Escape Wellness Spa is located at 247 Ann St. in Pickens. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and by appointment after 5 p.m. The business can be reached at (864) 878-3995, via email at escapespa@bellsouth.net and online at www.escapewellnessspa.net.

If you know a local small business that would like to be featured in this column, please contact slorch@thepccourier.com.