Danielle Barron has had a passion for health and wellness her whole life,  so when she decided to buy a franchise that would combine a love of business with the desire to help people feel better, she says Massage Envy was the perfect fit.

"It's a very strong franchise,  I have a great network of people who support me, so we decided to build it here in Athens," she said. "I thought Athens needed an affordable, professional and convenient place to get a massage or facial."

The spa, located at 1850 Epps Bridge Parkway in Suite 225 next to Trader Joe's, opened its doors on May 9, but celebrated its grand opening with a joint ribbon cutting with the Oconee County and Athens-Clarke Chambers of Commerce on Tuesday. 

One of over 700 locations nationwide, the spa offers a variety of therapeutic massage types and facials available through memberships or walk-in rates.  It's open seven days a week, including evening hours, and clients can schedule one-, one-and-a-half-, or two-hour appointments with introductory sessions as low as $49.

"We like to take massage out of that luxury field available to few and make it available to everyone because it really is a part of your overall health and wellness," Barron said. "It reduces stress.  If you have any type of injury, it can really be rehabilitative."

She said massage changes people's lives.

"I love when someone walks in here and you can tell they're just clenched and stressed and tight.  They go into the room and they come back out and their face is just totally changed, their body language is changed and they're so happy.  I love that we've had a part in that."

Presently there are seven therapists working in 11 rooms, according to assistant manager Courtney Rosen, and plans are to employ more than 20.

She said applications for therapists and estheticians will always be accepted and anyone interested in these opportunities should stop by the spa for more information.

"It's a very family-like atmosphere. We take care of each other," Rosen said.  "It's an amazing company to work for."