Clients can't help but feel the pressure of their busy day melt away the moment they walk into the hushed and welcoming reception area of Melanie Allen's Avance Day Spa.Avance is currently selling Halloween "Boo Boxes" stuffed with treats and novelties for children, teens and adults for between $10 and $15 - with proceeds going to The Newtown Fund. The spa is open to clients and visitors on Monday 10 am to 4 pm; Tuesday 11 am to 8 pm; Wednesday 10 am to 6 pm; Thursday 11 am to 8 pm; Friday 9 am to 6 pm; and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. Call 203-270-8911 or 800-348-9059 for information or appointments, or visit avanceesthetiques.com 

Even before their meticulous pampering begins, exposure to the subdued color tones and design scheme relax visitors' eyes, while soothing background music promotes a wave of calm as tensions begin to fade.

While the spa is attracting new clients who discover this first business to open in the newly developed Village at Lexington Gardens on Church Hill Road, Ms Allen is also welcoming young clients who are actually third generation Avance patrons.

Avance has been a destination in Newtown since 1989, and the new Church Hill Road location is offering its widest and most advanced menu of services ever with everything from custom rooms and stations outfitted for massage, skin care, and waxing to natural nail care for women and men.

The 3,100-square-foot state-of-the-art facility opened in early July with features that include individualized climate control in each of the nine treatment rooms, as well as a modern nail salon with massaging pedicure chairs that feature a "rainbow" light show for every client.

While the square footage for Avance in The Village is somewhat smaller than at Ms Allen's previous location, she said clients are complimenting the new digs.

"They love it," she said. "They're saying it feels bigger, maybe because of the way the space flows. Overall, I actually only gave up two treatment rooms, but I always thought I had too many. And we've gained a whole modern nail salon."

Instead of going with muted pastels, Ms Allen sought to complement Avance's interior design with a calming palette of grays and whites accented with stone and tile. The lighting fixtures also add to the ambiance as nickel and crystal sconces along with chandeliers provide ever-changing light effects on the walls and ceilings.

The spa's interior lounge features comfortable chairs and natural light, providing a serene place to relax before, after, and between spa treatments or while enjoying some refreshment - complimentary water, tea, or wine is proffered with every service.

Ms Allen said at capacity and with no one waiting, Avance can service as many as 16 to 17 individual clients simultaneously.

Avance spa staff consists of a team of licensed/certified massage therapists, estheticians, nail technicians, and managers who are each highly experienced, and who in most cases have been working together for many years.

Looking to showcase some of the community's best talent, the day spa also features an art gallery, with ever-changing original works dotting its walls. An upcoming art show beginning in late October and running through the holidays is titled "All About Newtown," and will feature multiple local artists exhibiting scenes of Newtown, past and present.

Resident Rosemary Rau is the manager, curator, and contact person for the sale of art exhibited in the spa, and the public is always welcome to enjoy the art displays regardless of whether they are current clients receiving services.

Other spa retail "product" lines include Credentials skin care, BioTone body butters and salts, as well as The Thymes, Ltd fragrances. Avance also features a botanically based line of skin care products as well as the complete line of Jane Iredale mineral cosmetics.

"We offer gift cards you can obtain here or buy online," she said.

Besides Ms Allen, who is generally on premises every day (Avance is closed on Sundays), Dawn Turcott-Milks and Karan Goodhue serve as reception greeters who welcome and get clients situated for their spa experience.

Licensed massage therapists at Avance include Ms Turcott-Milks, Cynthia Campel, Linda Rizzo, Seana Larkin, Margaret Cohen, Jill Peterson, and Dawn Ellen Blood, while Rita Albert, Regina Watterworth, Brittany Watterworth, Gina Ashe, and Amy Allen are the spa's aestheticians and nail technicians.

Whether clients are looking to host a group of friends, prepping their bridal party, or hosting a shower, "divorce party," corporate events, fundraisers, makeup parties, Sweet 16, or other gathering, Ms Allen invites clients to consider Avance. Groups of three or more persons will enjoy 15 percent discount off services when booking three or more services per guest.

A couple of the most popular services Avance is providing are massages and facials, both priced starting at $95. The spas pedicures and gels are $35 to remain competitive with other salons in the area.

And for a full-day of pampering that includes virtually all of the services Ms Allen and her team offers, the cost is just $310. She also partners with organizations in the community to assist with fundraising.

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