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Jen Main, owner of the Massage Heights franchise in Ankeny, says now is the perfect time to open a wellness business, despite the poor economy.

“There’s no need for a fearful mindset,” she said. “I think the value of this business, the value of the individual experience, is the fact that it can relieve stress to people who are stressed out at work, and it can help you with your own wellness and lifestyle. There are still people who go to the gym every day, and I would liken this to a gym membership. Now if I was opening a business where I’d sell luxury items, like big-screen televisions, I would probably feel differently because people are probably going to forgo those purchases.”

Main said that she doesn’t consider massages luxuries, but rather sees them as a part of a healthy lifestyle.

“I think it is a great thing people should do as preventive care and as a stress reliever, regardless if they need it,” she said. “I don’t necessarily see it as a luxury as some people might see it, but as a true benefit for your health.”

The Ankeny location, which has six private rooms and a couples room, is the second location to open in Greater Des Moines; the first is in West Des Moines and is managed by the company’s regional developers, Steve and Trisha McFadden. Main said she is already planning on opening her second franchise. However, before jumping into another one, Main said, “I have to get this one up and running first.”

And running it is; the Ankeny “retreat” opened on Jan. 23 and already had 30 appointments booked for the following day.

The company re-ported that Main’s store had the most first-week appointments scheduled of any Massage Heights locations that have opened.

Doris Flickinger, Ankeny’s retreat director, said the store will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce as part of its grand-opening celebrations on Friday, Feb. 13, just in time for its Valentine’s Day specials. Massage Heights has teamed up with Boesen The Florist to deliver a bouquet of a dozen roses along with a massage package on Valentine’s Day.