A new veteran-owned wellness center is set to open soon in Manayunk.
Retired combat Marine James Taulbee and his wife, Tracey, will debut Liberty Spa & Wellness inside their gym, Fire For Effect Athletics.
Taulbee told Whatnow Philadelphia the space aims to break from the traditional spa model with an industrial-inspired aesthetic designed to reflect Philadelphia’s artistic, gritty character. The space is intended to offer both men and women a place to recharge.
“Spas usually have a traditional look—beige, greys and macramé. We’re very much in the opposite direction. When you walk into our space, we want it to feel like a walk through the city at night, with the ambiance from the lights and signage. It’s got a nighttime mural feel.”
The wellness studio will offer 60-minute massage sessions with licensed therapists, including sports, deep tissue and prenatal options, along with infrared sauna sessions ranging from 15 to 60 minutes and a cold plunge. Guests can also customize their visit with add-ons such as CBD oils, aromatherapy, hot stone treatments and extended massage time.
“If you want to come just to get a massage, you can certainly do that, but because it’s inside of a gym, it is more focused toward people who work out, play sports or run marathons,” Taulbee said. “We also have a physical therapy office inside the gym. They’ll suggest massage to their clients, so this way we’re able to provide that service in-house.”
Taulbee said he looks forward to welcoming guests to the new wellness center.
“I come up with a lot of really cool ideas—things I’ve seen along the way that have cracked open ideas of when I was in the military. I’m most excited about new beginnings. I really enjoy it,” he said.
The infrared saunas are now open to guests. The massage area will open early next month, with the entire wellness center expected to be fully operational by mid-September.
Visit the Liberty Spa & Wellness website and follow along on Instagram for the latest updates.
