What’s old becomes new
Staff writer
Work to remodel a former mercantile store at 308 E. Main St. into a medical spa has started.
Vicki Hoffer stood on a ladder Monday outside of the building, which will house S&S Medspa. She brushed up framing of the building’s front door.
The building is the former home of JR Hatters, just east of Marion National Bank, and before that, Barely Make’n It antiques.
Less obvious from the street, co-owner Shannon Hoffer worked on the inside of the building. Masking tape on the floor marks where five rooms will provide privacy for clients.
Shannon Hoffer and Shawna Johnson, both nurses, have operated the business for a year along with Francie Wharton, cryoskin technicians Katie Perry and Summer Espinoza, and administrative assistant Madilyn Phipps in rented space in a downtown beauty salon.
Because of space limitations at Signatures Salon, where S&S has operated, only one service could be provided at a time. Demand outgrew the spa’s allotted space.
Once the spa moves into its own space, it will have regular hours instead of appointments for one service at a time.
Shannon Hoffer said three upstairs apartments, in rough state, might be converted into one long-term rental and two short-term rentals that would allow the spa to become a destination location.
Johnson hopes the business will complete its move by the first of the year.