Pure Esthetics & Massage Adds New Element to the Downtown Experience

When Michelle Longtin and Denise Robertson met on the playground of St-Croix Elementary school 20 years ago, they had no idea that they would eventually be business partners.

The two friends first remained close throughout school in Cornwall and then later at the Versailles Academy in Ottawa. It was at this well respected esthetics school in Ottawa that the two young ladies started to dream about opening a business together.

“We figured if we could be friends for that long, and have lived together, then we could definitely become business partners,” says Michelle. “We are both driven, and strive for the same things. We are meant to be around people.”

On Tuesday, the two ladies will kick off the next phase of their business as they open Pure Esthetics and Massage at 137 Pitt Street. The 1800 sq.ft. salon is much bigger, offering 7 treatment rooms, as well as a nail bar, brow bar and pedicure station.

“We last expanded in 2005, and since then we have outgrown our previous salon,” says Denise. “It is time for a change, and this building gave us an opportunity to make it how we want it.”

Pure will offer a complete line up of esthetic services, including facials, pedicures, manicures, laser hair removal and make-overs. These services will be rounded out with complementary products from a variety of vendors, including Eminence Organics Skin Care Line and Cornwall’s own Ground Soap.

New to Pure will be the addition of massage therapy and services. A registered massage therapist has already been hired, and a second will be added soon. A wide range of therapy will be available, including Swedish, deep tissue massage, hot stone and therapeutic massage.

Pure Esthetics and Massage is located on the main floor of a century-old two story building on Pitt Street that carries with it a lot of history. In fact, one of the first sights that greet visitors is the ancient floor safe that had been commissioned for the former owners, Snetsinger Hardware.

“It seems appropriate to recognize the past as we move forward in the future,” says Michelle. “Downtown Cornwall has changed a lot in the last few years. New and exciting businesses have opened and we wanted to be a part of it. It’s where the action is, and we look forward to being a part of the downtown.”

Renovations were completed by Vance De Saulniers of De Saulniers Construction Ltd.., the owner of the building. The cost of renovations and the facade improvement were offset in part by the Heart of the City Community Improvement Program.

The doors to 137 Pitt Street open Tuesday, November 5th at 9:00 am. Michelle and Denise are planning an official grand opening the first week of December once they and their customers have had a chance to acclimate. In the meantime, everyone is welcome to come and see it the new place.

“We love to make people feel good about themselves, and we love to pamper,” says Michelle. “We love it when people leave our establishment with a smile on their face. It’s what we focus on.”