Saks opens unusual health and wellness mecca

Shoppers at Saks Fifth Avenue’s Manhattan flagship can now take a fitness class taught by ex-cons in addition to shopping for the latest fashions. They can even learn how to meditate.



The luxury department store has transformed its second floor into a health and fitness hub dubbed The Wellery. The 16,000-plus-sq.-ft. space is comprised of 20 individual spaces offering everything from fitness classes and exercise equipment to athleisure apparel and specialized beauty treatments. It will be open through October 2017.



The Wellery’s featured shops include Blink Brow Bar, Martone Cycling Co., Peloton, Saks women's athleisure shop, MNDFL, which offers meditation classes, and Skinney MedSpa, whose services including non-invasive body contouring and hi-tech facials. In the Breathe Salt Rooms space, customers can detoxify with dry salt therapy.



Among the brands offering fitness classes in dedicated studios in The Wellery are ConBody, which offers a prison-style boot camp taught by rehabilitated convicts, and Bendable Body, specializing in stretching method that works on connective tissue. The Saks Studio will host rotating pop-up classes from various local gyms and wellness-focused events.



"Saks has a long history of creating breakthrough, experiential environments in our stores — in 1935, an indoor ski slope was constructed in the flagship store in order to offer skiing lessons. The Saks Wellery, our latest concept shop, focused entirely on wellness, continues the Saks tradition of elevating shopping to a higher level by building exciting customer experiences," said Saks Fifth Avenue chief merchant Tracy Margolies.