Highlands Day Spa opened a second location Jan. 24 at 301 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene. Gone are the red and yellow Wells Fargo signs and other remnants of the building's life as a bank. Now adorning the walls are large-scale floral paintings and artistic renderings of nature and wildlife. Walls have been moved and spa rooms have been created.

Even with all the changes, Highlands Day Spa owner Emily Hildebrand said she still has an occasional visitor who wants to cash a check, but it's all good. Change takes time, and so does opening a second location.

“We’re open for business,” Hildebrand said Wednesday.

Hildebrand and her team worked on expanding into Coeur d'Alene for about 10 months. Opening day began a new chapter for Highlands, adding a second site to accompany the original Highlands Day Spa at 4365 Inverness Drive in Post Falls.

The biggest difference between the locations is foot traffic. In Post Falls, guests drive into the hills for spa services. In Coeur d'Alene, they'll be able to come in for facials, massages, waxes, nail service and spa parties while enjoying all downtown Coeur d'Alene has to offer.

“I’m happy about all of this,” Hildebrand said. "I know summertime’s going to be wild down here."

Another big difference is the Coeur d'Alene site serves beer and wine, so clients must be 21 and older, Hildebrand said.

The Coeur d'Alene location has 13 spa service rooms on the second floor, allowing for spa parties as well as people-watching and scenic views from windows that overlook Sherman Avenue.

Hildebrand said Highlands is all about accessibility.

“One of our goals is to be the most affordable true day spa in the area,” she said. “That’s been our goal forever, just making sure we’re accessible to people who have real jobs. We’re open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for that reason."

For Hildebrand, it’s not just a spa or salon. It’s a place where healing and wellness happen.

“That’s a big part of it,” she said.

She said spa services help to lower cortisol, a major stress hormone. She considers them a path to wellness that serve as preventative care.

“It’s very important to me to be as accessible as possible, and bring as many people into it as possible,” she said. “That’s the good feeling.”

Highlands Day Spa massage therapist Misty Keeler went to massage school in the basement of the Post Falls location in 2008, then worked for Highlands until 2011 when she went into private practice. She returned to Highlands in October.

“I just missed spa life and decided to come back,” she said.

Keeler is one of several staff members who relocated to Coeur d'Alene while other team members remain at the Post Falls site. She said she loves the new digs.

"It's beautiful, it's big," she said. "There’s a lot of potential.”

She said Highlands is a welcoming place.

“We’re friendly. Everybody’s always welcome here," Keeler said. "This is not a place where anybody should feel out of place, ever. It’s the people’s spa — that’s what I always call it. It's a beautiful place to be."

Highlands will have a hiring event for several positions Monday. Massage therapists, spa attendants, front desk, estheticians and nail techs are needed.

Info: highlandsdayspa.com