Day spa opens in Mt. Pleasant

Meraki Day Spa opened its doors to the public for the first time this past week. The Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.

'We are so excited to welcome Meraki to our downtown community and for all of the wonderful services they have to offer,” Chamber Director of Membership Allison Jacobs said. l

Meraki Day Spa was founded by Halee Lane who has been a practicing beautician for the past nine years. Lane originally started her business in New London, but after having little success there, she moved her business to Mt. Pleasant where it grew in just six months.

'I think the fact that there's a younger age group in Mt. Pleasant is a factor in the success I've seen so far,” she said. 'Mt. Pleasant is really starting to see this change in atmosphere, almost like a thriving, booming time, and we wanted Meraki to reflect that.”

Meraki's modern chic interior isn't the only thing that sticks out. The name is unusual, too, and it holds a special meaning to Lane.

'I wanted a name that stood out and caused people to ask me what it means,” she said. 'The definitions of meraki, besides the ones on the window, mean putting your heart, your soul and your passion into your work. I think that really represents who I am.”

Lane explained that her desire to open her own business was inspired by her aunts, all of whom are hair dressers with their own salons.

'That's awesome that you have strong women that own their own businesses to set an example for you,” Jacobs said.

Meraki Day Spa plans on offering a multitude of beauty services with a well equipped team. The current team includes two aestheticians, a massage therapist, and five stylists.

'We want to offer an experience that reflects Meraki, and that means having a wide range of services like facials, body contouring, lash extensions, and hair styling,” Lane said. 'Though we are a team, we're all our own individuals, and I am no one's boss, but their co-worker.”

Lane is excited for this new chapter for her business and has faith that Meraki will succeed in Mt. Pleasant.

'Opening a new business during a pandemic was kind of stressful, mainly because the prices were high,” she said. 'But I knew what I wanted to do, and I didn't let COVID stop me from pursuing that.

'I am so grateful for all of the overwhelming support Meraki has received from my family, friends, and the community. It means a lot.”