Breaking News:
Governor declares statewide wildfire emergency, issues statewide burn ban
Meet the Merchant: Kelly Wheeler, 30, owner, Peace Pad Spa & Wellness in Ilwaco
Published 5:04 pm Sunday, August 2, 2026
1/3
Swipe or click to see more
Kelly Wheeler officially opened Peace Pad & Wellness Spa at 151 Howertown Ave. in Ilwaco in July. “The whole idea is wellness inside and out,” Wheeler said.
(Courtesy Brooke Nesbitt)
2/3
Swipe or click to see more
The interior of Peace Pad & Wellness Spa, formerly occupied by Ole Bob’s restaurant.
(Luke Whittaker/Chinook Observer)
3/3
Swipe or click to see more
The day spa will also feature a full wellness bar, offering cold-pressed juices, smoothies, tea, lattes and wellness shots.
(Luke Whittaker/Chinook Observer)
Peace Pad & Wellness Spa
151 Howerton Ave., Ilwaco
Kelly Wheeler, owner
360-783-0740
Chinook Observer: Where are you from?
Kelly Wheeler: “I was born in Arkansas. I moved here when I was 6, and was raised by my German family here, so I kind of call myself a mutt.”
Observer: When did you open this location?
Wheeler: “I just started in July, but I’ve been working on the buildout the last two years. Prior to this, I was in the Tinker Towne Mall, where it was just me. Now it’s me, another massage therapist and a cosmetologist. We have another girl that’s a barista who is going to be interning for massage. We’re growing, it’s super exciting!”
Observer: Can you tell me more about the business, what services you offer?
Wheeler: “We have massage, couples massage, facial head spa. We’ll have a whole juice bar. The whole idea is wellness inside and out. We will also have events, educational workshops and give back to the community. For instance, at the wellness bar, you can choose to give back to our local Crisis Support Network or you can round up in the spa. With our essential oil line, we give back 13% to help end human trafficking, just things like that.”
Observer: What inspired you to start the business?
Wheeler: “I’ve been in massage for 10 years, but I had a really hard upbringing. I was surrounded by drugs, but I never touched one my entire life — probably because of what I witnessed. I watched my aunt overdose when I was eight years old. And then, through all that trauma, I ended up developing an autoimmune (disorder), started having kids and was like ‘Wow, something needs to change.’ So I really started leaning toward health and wellness. I became a massage therapist, graduated with my oldest kid on my hip. This kind of became the biggest dream for me while I was in massage school, where I realized I can help millions of people. So this is the flagship for a franchise, this is where it all begins. I just want to inspire people to continue to take care of themselves from the inside out — and connect. I love inspiring and helping people.”
Observer: You mentioned your formal training at massage school, can you tell me about that experience? Your biggest influence there?
Wheeler: “I went to the Body Mechanics School of Massage in Vancouver. My favorite teacher there was Chad Nolan, he completely changed my life. It was like I had never had a massage before his workshop.”
Observer: Is there an area of massage you consider your specialty or forte?
Wheeler: “I’m really good at deep tissue (massage), just listening with my hands. I recently learned that a lot of massage nurse practitioners in China are blind, so they feel with their hands. That’s something I pride myself in being able to do, just listening with my hands. It’s like a dance. We believe in giving people the treatment they need and deserve to find that balance within their body. We’re a day spa that provides treatment-based massage, not a ‘foo-foo’ type of spa — we believe in results.”
Observer: What’s the biggest difference between the types of massage?
Wheeler: “We have a deep-tissue treatment, which is slower pace to increase muscle mobility, fluidity and just give them more range of motion. On the other end of the spectrum is relaxation, something that relieves the nervous system, like Reiki massage, as opposed to relaxing the body per se, but they go hand-in-hand. I combine both bodywork and Reiki massage. I incorporate physical touch through massage, healing touch through deep tissue and Reiki. A lot of people have seen great results.”
Observer: Who would you recommend should seek massage services?
Wheeler: “Anyone looking to come home to themselves. That’s something we love to say, that we bring you home to yourself. Your healing begins here.”
Observer: Are there any misconceptions you encounter about massage?
Wheeler: “Um (ha-ha), you know, we do get a few creeps here and there. But they’re…misconceptions. There’s a difference between a massage parlor and a studio. I think you know where I’m going with that one (ha-ha). There’s also the misconception that massage doesn’t hurt, that it’s supposed to be all relaxing. Sometimes it does, sometimes it feels uncomfortable on occasion — especially if you’re stretching the muscles, like trapezius. Those areas are very tender.”
Observer: What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
Wheeler: “I’m kind of quirky, a tattoo enthusiast. I have my sleeve, but I want to get my back piece. I’m a black-and-white movie buff. I love classic rock — ‘TNT’ (by AC/DC) should be my theme song.”
