Small Business Spotlight: PURE Skin + Wellness Spa
PURE Skin + Wellness Spa has transformed the former US Bank building in downtown Mount Vernon into a serene retreat for holistic self-care and advanced wellness treatments. Owner Melissa Harris and Marketing Manager Emma Fox discuss what it means to be part of the PURE community.
Downtown Mount Vernon is home to a variety of unique businesses, but one stands out as a quiet retreat away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. PURE Skin + Wellness Spa is a gentle pause in a busy world and a place where modern science meets timeless self-care.
From the moment guests step inside, the pace of life seems to shift. Soothing aromas, soft lighting, and an inviting quiet that inspires a deep exhale. At PURE, owner Melissa Harris and her team have curated something more than a mere spa; it’s a sanctuary.
“We believe in the power of a reset,” Melissa said. “Our goal is to help people take a step back and be in the moment.”
The ethos of PURE is rooted in whole-person wellness. Guests can explore advanced skincare technology, holistic massage therapy, or take a relaxing break in their wellness lounge.
In April of this year, PURE moved into the old US Bank building and transformed an iconic downtown location with new energy. What was once a financial institution has been completely reborn as a serene wellness space. Each room has been intentionally designed to reflect PURE’s core value, providing guests with the most advanced wellness experience available.
Melissa had long outgrown her original suite on First Street. What began in 2019 as a modest space quickly expanded into three adjoining units as demand for her spa’s services grew. She had been walking by the old bank building for months until one day she finally saw her vision.
Marketing manager Emma Fox explains that their team sees self-care as an essential part of taking care of oneself rather than a luxury.
“In a world where we’re constantly hustling and the American mindset glamorizes the hustle and not taking care of yourself, your body keeps score,” Emma said. “You can only push for so long.”
PURE redefines what beauty and wellness can mean. Melissa’s inside-out approach begins with gut health and lifestyle.
“When I first came in, Melissa didn’t try to sell me anything,” Emma recalled. “The first thing she asked was, ‘How is your gut health?’ That’s when I knew this place was different.”
The most unique addition to PURE’s new space is its wellness lounge, featuring a breathtaking Himalayan Salt Room, also known as the “Himalayan Salt Vault.” This room is lined with hand-carved pink salt blocks, and the floors are enveloped with loose pink salt to enhance the overall benefits of this halotherapy. The experience is renowned for its detoxification and stress-reducing benefits.
“We are inviting people to use these therapies as what we call the ‘pure pause’ to ask them to put their phones away in our phone-free space,” Emma adds. “Just exist, be present, take a breath, and live pure–reconnect with yourself.”
Every offering at PURE is backed by evidence-based research and thoughtfully designed for holistic support.
What stands out most in speaking with those who work there is the genuine care and emotional investment.
“Melissa doesn’t ask anything of her staff that she wouldn’t do herself,” Emma said. “There’s no hierarchy at PURE, and she makes that very clear–that this is a team.”
PURE Skin + Wellness in downtown Mount Vernon is a gentle reminder to take care of yourself.
“It’s not just a fluff and buff spa,” Emma said. “It’s a place to heal, reconnect with yourself, and ask questions.”
