The next commercial tenant at 500 Seneca is one that building residents have been anticipating for some time now. When I interviewed Althea Luehrsen, one of the first residents to occupy the building, a couple months ago (see here), she said that one of the things she loved about living at 500 was the vibrancy of the building accentuated by the array of tenants within. She also mentioned that she was very much looking forward to the arrival of a “spa” that she had heard was soon to come.
Well Althea, your life at 500 Seneca is about to get even better. The new home of Phoenix Rising Therapeutic Massage and Body Work is expected to open June 1st on the first floor. Owner Erika Felicetta has been a massage therapist since 2005 and has been renting a space at Fierce Fitness located at 167 Ashland Avenue in the Elmwood Village. While Felicetta loves working in the Elmwood Village Community she recognizes that it is time to grow her business and feels that 500 Seneca is the right location for her and her colleagues.
This newly refurbished old building speaks to my heart.
Phoenix Rising’s new 1,340 square foot space will allow Felicetta to retain three massage therapists, Eric Bamberg, Jeremy Springer, and Rachel Neade, plus add an acupuncturist and an aesthetician to offer hair removal and facials. In tow too will be Felicetta’s Boston Terrier and client favorite, Mrs. Bean, who will be available to greet clients in the lobby and accompany them into their treatment session. The new location will be composed of five treatment rooms along with a small lobby area with lots of natural light throughout.
Several types of massage will be available including Swedish massage, the traditional relaxing form of massage, and the technique that most often comes to mind when describing a massage; Sports Therapy Massage, used to treat and prevent injuries and deals with the health of muscle and connective tissue, range of movement, tone, symmetry, balance of muscle and quality of posture; Thai Massage, an ancient healing system new to this area that combines acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and assisted yoga postures in its practice; Therapeutic or Deep Tissue Massage also used to prevent or treat injuries; and myofascial techniques that treat skeletal muscle immobility and pain.
Everyone needs massage therapy for maintenance and for life.
Felicetta is looking forward to the additions of an aesthetician and acupuncturist to complete her business and make it more of a rounded holistic center. She understands and appreciates the value and significance of acupuncture. Traditional Chinese medicine describes the technique of acupuncture as a method used to balance the flow of energy or life force, known as qi or chi and pronounced “chee”, believed to flow through pathways, or channels in the body. By inserting tiny needles into specific points along these channels, energy flow, or chi, will rebalance. Felicetta says, “All of the services we will be providing really complement each other for the overall holistic well-being of a person.”
Both Felicetta and Mrs. Bean are looking forward to the move to 500 Seneca. “This newly refurbished old building speaks to my heart,” says Felicetta, “the energy surrounding the project is great for the community.” Meanwhile Mrs. Bean will no-doubt love taking walks in the hip Larkinville neighborhood. The location is great, right off the thruway with easily accessible, convenient parking available. Most importantly, Felicetta believes the move will make all of the masseurs better as a whole. Her philosophy is, “everyone needs massage therapy for maintenance and for life.”
Additionally, the space will be adorned with works of art by Jenny Miller of Mexican Radio (see Facebook), that will be available for sale on consignment. A retail area will sell Sage and Arrow all-natural and organic body balms and products, foam rollers, and bio freeze.
You can find out more about Phoenix Rising Therapeutic Massage and Body Work on their Facebook page, or by calling 716-551-0970.
Photo of Erika and Mrs. Bean by Sara Heidenger