In hard times, tension relief can be had at a low monthly rate

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
By Toni Whitt

Is the economy making you tense? Perhaps the value of your 401(k) or your stock portfolio has taken a hard dive. Or maybe the idea of Christmas is making you want to run away.

For a reasonable price you can have someone rub that tension away.

A new massage franchise, Massage Heights, opened two weeks ago at The Landings in south Sarasota, and for a monthly fee of $49.99, members can get one massage with additional massages in the month for $39.99.

Paul Esper opened the new franchise with plans to open a second site in the Kohl's shopping center off University Parkway as soon as the space is completed.

He jumped into the business after seeing how well competitor Massage Envy has been doing with its business.

"Massage Envy is proving that the sales and the income are there," he said.

Esper, who is the regional developer for the franchise, bought into the Massage Heights concept because he said it feels more like a spa, offers several levels of membership and has a retail component.

"The concepts are similar," he said. "It's based on affordability and bringing therapeutic massage to the masses."

Three membership levels offer one massage per month, plus discounts on every massage and other services based on membership levels.

Those who want to see what it is all about can get one introductory one-hour massage for $39.99.

For those who don't want to be tied to a membership, services are still available at a higher price. A typical one-hour massage for a walk-in client is $79.99.

Esper plans to open 25 to 30 sites from Tampa to Naples over the next five years.

Esper said that while the influx of baby boomers has slowed with Florida's economy, he believes that Sarasota will continue to attract plenty of retirees willing to spend money on their health.
Another growing business

The entrepreneur who founded OfficeMax -- and sold it for $1.5 billion -- is coming back to retail with a new idea, a lot of money and an eye on Southwest Florida.

Michael Feuer and partner Jared Florian are launching Max-Wellness, a chain of stores aimed at aging baby boomers and others who are looking to stay healthy. The stores will carry exercise gear, nutritional supplements and medical products. They also will have in-store pharmacies.

The first four stores, to open next year, will be in the areas where Feuer owns homes -- two stores near Cleveland and one each in Naples and Fort Myers.
But Tom Piteo, who is scouting real estate for Max-Wellness, says the company has been looking at Sarasota for the next wave of 15 stores.