3 Rivers Health Center opens in old Essence of You location

The old Hatch Mansion and grounds on First Street has reopened as a place for massage and naturopathic medicine.

After close to three years of being vacant, the old Hatch mansion at 1421 First Street has new tenants devoted to massage therapy, new age healing, acupuncture, and the like.

The sign outside what used to be Essence of You day spa now says, 3 Rivers Health Center, but that's only part of the picture. The three principals -- Karie Jonak, Joliene Crystal and Jasmine Kinney, hope to soon be hosting weddings and receptions on the grounds and a Green Goddess kitchen open to serve healthy, natural foods ("We don't need another place with fries," said Crystal).

The soft opening at the new location was Monday, and today there was still a lot of unpacking to be done. But everybody under the new roof has been practicing somewhere else (Jonak has had a naturopathic practice on 13th Street for more than a decade), and their clients are already coming in for massages, ionic foot baths, facials, etc.

Considering how long the property has been dormant, it was in very good shape. They have done some painting, regrouting and landscaping, but on the whole it's been a lot less work than a person might have expected.

"It's kind of a niche place," said Jonak. "Not everyone could have moved in the way we did."

A grand opening is planned for July 26 from 2 to 8 p.m. For more information, call 523-3531.