Special touch at the beach

Massage Envy, a nationwide wellness clinic that offers therapeutic massage and customized facials at discounted prices, recently opened its 600th franchise location in Laguna Beach under the ownership of John and Barbara Meeks.

“I was so impressed with my own Massage Envy experience, I wanted to bring it to Laguna Beach,” Barbara Meeks said. “We are very excited to bring the Massage Envy vision of offering affordable services to our hometown.

“We especially like that we can extend them outside of the elite circle.”

Opened as Massage Envy “Spa,” a model the franchiser introduced earlier this year that features an exclusive partnership with Murad Skincare, it offers the company’s custom-designed facials that promise to deeply cleanse and exfoliate, rehydrate and rejuvenate skin and reduce acne and visible signs of aging.

“We have an enviro-shield Vitamin C facial, which is great for locals who spend a lot of time at the beach,” Meeks said. “We’ve had clients say they saw dramatic results after just one facial,” Meeks said.

An array of massages including deep tissue, trigger point, prenatal and geriatric, and created to fit the customer’s individual needs.

All services are provided by licensed aestheticians and massage therapists in one of the spa’s nine serene treatment rooms, all named after Laguna’s beaches.

“Each therapist had to give a one-hour massage as part of the interview process, which ensures the only the best quality,” Meeks said. “Most of our therapists have well over 1,000 hours of experience, and are knowledgeable about the health benefits of massage and how to relieve various kinds of pain.”

Also included are a “couples room” and an ocean-view “tranquillity room” where customers can relax and unwind while they wait. Local plein air seascapes and hand-made door signs painted by Barbara Meeks herself lend a special “Laguna” feel to the location.

Massages are $39 for a one-hour session; facials are $49.

The spa offers a membership for $59 per month, which includes a one-hour customized massage or facial each month and even allows rollover sessions.

Established in Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2002 and franchised in 2003, Massage Envy was named by Entrepreneur Magazine this year as one of the 20 “Fastest Growing Franchises.” The company now has more than 600 locations and 670,000 members in 42 states.

The Laguna franchise is at 610 N. Coast Hwy., adjacent to Bikram Yoga upstairs in the Pavilion.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (949) 357-2000.