Stephanie Shells-Little knows the value of a timely retreat.

As an integrator of the Newberry school system in the late ‘60s, the only black third-grader at Speers Street Elementary had trash thrown at her in the classroom. Then outside at recess, no one played with her.

“I wasn’t treated kindly,” says Shells-Little softly. “I spent a lot of time alone.”

Soon after transferring to her new school, a car struck and killed her brother as Shells-Little looked on.

“When you start your life like that at school at an early grade, you’re always looking for moments of tranquility,” says Shells-Little.

Shells-Little has since found tranquility for herself, and now helps others find rest.

She is a licensed consulting hypnotist and a licensed Reiki practitioner who recently opened Tranquil Gifts on Calhoun Street just off Main Street.

Reiki practitioners use Japanese relaxation techniques for inner healing, “using spiritually guided life force energy,” says the International Association of Reiki Professionals Web site.

“I always had a dream to open up a business that would offer people relaxation,” says Shells-Little.

Scented oil and soft background instrumentals fills Tranquil Gifts’ muted-colored walls as water flows over pebbles in shop fountains.

In a side room is a massage table and chair with more drift-away decor.

“So far, everybody that goes in the middle room says, ‘I feel like I could go to sleep,’” she says.

The middle room is also where Shells-Little talks clients through guided imagery and hypnosis.

Guided imagery is where people follow verbal prompts, letting their thoughts go into a beach scene, for example.

In the front room, Tranquil Gifts offers women jewelry, and men ball caps.

And the full-time Boundary Street Elementary School teacher is also looking out for kids, too.

“I always try to have something that appeals to children like Hannah Montana (merchandise), lotion, lip balm, pocket books...” says Shells-Little.

But it’s in the back room of Tranquil Gifts where Shells-Little has had most business, she says.

“This is my Tranquil Hair Salon,” Shells-Little says.

When Shells-Little moved to Newberry a year ago to care for her mother who had suffered a stroke, she also resumed her hair care heritage.

Her father owned Shells Barber Shop where Shells-Little also worked.

“I have old clients that are starting to come back,” she says. “I’ve had more hair clients than I’ve had clients buying gifts.”

Besides hair care, Tranquil Gifts also offers manicures and pedicures.

Altogether, the shop features relaxation aid from its salon, spa items, jewelry and guidance. The various helps made the name, Tranquil Gifts.

“I felt like every service of relaxation is a gift,” she says, on choosing a store title.

“We all need the benefits of relaxation,” says Shells-Little. “We need an opportunity to have a retreat.”

Tranquil Gifts is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 331-1859 for more information.