Last Saturday seemed like a collective day of release mixed with expressions of feeling uncertain. It was also the day that Alchemy Beacon opened, the wellness spa in the long awaited building that was Kitchen Coffee Beacon (formerly Ella’s Bellas) and now is again at 418 Main Street. The restaurant Carter’s is down there also. Both Carter’s and Kitchen Coffee are known for their delicious gluten free options. Kitchen Coffee goes the extra step of being vegan.

The Station Dispensary and the soon to be Piggy Bank 2.0 (formerly The Vault) is just down the block also.

Inside Alchemy, on the 3rd floor, there are yoga classes available, sound experiences, reiki, massage, acupuncture (face or whole body), craniosacral therapy, and LED platinum heat therapy. Soft, thick blankets are available everywhere.

There is also the opportunity to just sit. In the sauna or steam room.

Followed by a shower in one of the uniquely designed showers that make one feel like they are in Morocco maybe. Three stories up from Beacon’s Main Street. For some reason, we took an affinity to the hooks placed all around Alchemy for hanging convenience. Shampoo, conditioner and body wash is from Public Good and smells citrus-y.

In addition to class packs and other membership levels, there’s an introductory sauna/steam room membership going on now for $39/month for the sauna and steam room exclusively (like…if you aren’t committing to classes and just want to sit in the heat). They say you could go to the sauna unlimited times. Like 3x a day if you wanted! Not that you would want to do that. But it’s an example of the flexibility. Lockers are available for your bag. Bring a robe or bathing suit for sitting. Alchemy provides the towels.

On a day like last Saturday, before the snow storm, and in the middle of the figurative storm, this exhale-sit-sweat was deeply needed. Personally, ALBB jogs outside. So it was a jog out on the ice, followed by the warm sit.

So far, there isn’t a lock-it-in contract. One could try the intro rates. If the wind blows the price higher and they no longer suit the budget, one could exit. But for now, the fluffy towels, the plain water, the special water, the showers, the hair dryer (!!) was worth feeling like you were somewhere else for a little bit.

When you go for the first time - watch out for the elevator! It opens backwards :)