Arizona-based chain Massage Envy is expanding its local presence with plans for a new spa on Bluebonnet Boulevard near the corner of Perkins Road. The 3,600-square-foot spa will be located in a newly constructed, freestanding building at 7940 Bluebonnet Blvd. Mandeville businessman Emmett Smith owns the franchise for the spa and says he will be doing the interior build out, which will cost an estimated $300,000.
When completed in May, the new spa will be Smith’s fourth Massage Envy in southeast Louisiana and his second in Baton Rouge. He owns the Massage Envy on 11445 Coursey Blvd. A different franchisee owns the location in CitiPlace on Corporate Boulevard.
“I’m aware of oversaturating the market, but based on the way they have expanded and succeeded across the country I am confident Baton Rouge can support three,” Smith says. “In Houston or Dallas there is practically one on every corner. Louisiana cannot support those types of numbers, but I feel like Baton Rouge can support three and Lafayette, maybe two.”
Smith’s other two locations are in Lafayette and Mandeville.
Massage Envy is based on a membership business model, whereby members pay a monthly fee in return for discounted treatments. The chain has more than 1,000 franchise and company-owned outlets nationwide. It entered the Baton Rouge market eight years ago. —Stephanie Riegel
