Talk about a career change: Last November, Pat Staley went from software engineer to spa owner when she opened the Spa at Bell House on East Salisbury Street in downtown Pittsboro.Spa at Bell House.

“It was a moment of inspiration,” she says of the decision. A consulting firm helped her prepare for the new role. She and her husband, Jeff, renovated the 1857 Bell House, named for the couple who owned it in the early 1900s. The house had most recently served as a doctor’s office.

Staley has six people on staff, plus a nutritionist, Charlee Moore, and a psychologist, Dr. Lynda Heymen.

Services include facials, peels, massages, body polishes, body wraps, foot reflexology, manicures, pedicures, makeup lessons and application and waxing. There’s also an infrared sauna. Special packages cater to groups of girlfriends, couples and brides.

Staley says clients come from Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, Hillsborough, Sanford, Siler City and Raleigh. About 20 people have signed up to become spa members. As part of the program, which began about six weeks ago, members pay a flat fee of $65 for one service of their choosing per month.

Staley contends that there’s no better time to be pampered. “With the economic situation, we need to get rid Andrea Upchurch gives Kristy Maynor the star treatment.of as much stress as possible,” she says. “The whole premise of this place is that it’s a sanctuary from the stress that is outside these walls.”

The Spa at Bell House is also available for events. Most recently, a 6-year-old’s birthday party was held there, and each young guest was treated to a pedicure.

For a complete list of the spa’s services and a price list, click here.