Community sauna in northeast Ohio
Hello!
I have some exciting news to share with you: community sauna is coming back to northeast Ohio. Inspired by Ashtabula County’s history of sauna bathing (introduced by 19th century Finnish immigrants), and my own experience with sauna and cold water swimming, I’m actively building a business that will bring a contrast therapy (hot and cold) experience to northeast Ohio. Many of the details are still being worked out, but I’m currently enrolled in a sauna business accelerator run by a world-class Finnish sauna builder and experience designer based in Duluth, MN: Cedar and Stone. In the coming months, with guidance from the folks at Cedar and Stone, I’ll be finalizing a site, completing the buildout and welcoming the first visitors.
The History of Sauna in Northeast Ohio
It’s been a long time, but in the late 19th century, Ashtabula Harbor housed upwards of 6 public sauna houses. Community members would gather here for sauna bathing and social connection. These were community institutions, developed and maintained by the neighborhood’s prominent Finnish immigrant population. While there are all sorts of thermal bathing traditions around the world, the Finns originated one of the most well-known, dating back to ~7,000 BC. Today there are more saunas in Finland than cars or dogs. And still, today, there are many Ashtabula County residents with saunas in their homes (perhaps you, reader, are one of them).
More On My Concept
While I’d love to tell you where this business will be located, when it will be open and many other details, a lot of this is still getting sorted. For now, here’s what I can share:
Contrast therapy: The experience developed will involve both 1) dry Finnish sauna, likely with a capacity of over 15 people, and 2) cold water immersion in some form (whether a natural body of water or cold plunge tank(s)). I will also look to have an outdoor sitting area which can be another method by which to cool off.
Other amenities: In addition to contrast therapy, there will *hopefully* be some version of locker rooms where visitors can access a shower, toilet, and secure storage. There will also *hopefully* be a small multi-purpose / lounge area where visitors can relax, enjoy self-serve refreshments and where special events like yoga classes can be held.
Membership: In addition to single use passes, memberships will be available for visitors that want to regularly use the sauna and pay a discounted rate per visit.
Private sessions: In addition to single use and member passes, folks will have the ability to book the entire space for private events.
Merch: There will be a small curated selection of wellness-related merchandise for sale, including sauna hats, towels and essential oils.
The Name: The working name is Steelhead House, in honor of our beautiful, cold water-loving aquatic friends. This is subject to change.
My Background
I grew up in Ashtabula. My family has lived in the area for close to 200 years, and operated small businesses there for much of that time. My primary residence now is the Bay Area in California, but I get back to Ashtabula often and hope to spend even more time there. I’ve been an avid cold water swimmer and regular sauna bather for 10 years.
Stay Tuned
I'll be writing weekly so stay tuned for next week's piece on my recent experience at contrast therapy experience Bywater Saunas (below) in Seattle, WA.
