Street Strollers Stumble on Free Massage

There's no such thing as a free lunch, but as for massages...

Walking down Main Street Tuesday, you may have noticed fellow shoppers straddling a massage chair, face down, lost in complete relaxation.

Art + Science—an eco-friendly salon and spa in Manayunk—trots out its free mini-treatment (a 15-minute neck, shoulder, scalp and back massage) when things get a little slow.

The hitch? It's tough not to make a return visit for the real deal.

"We try to do this as often as possible. Once someone comes here and has an experience, they always want to come back for more," salon and spa manager Roxie Marroni said.

A sign outside the two-story shop—which was formerly a furniture store—invited people "to enjoy this beautiful day." Tuesday morning was particularly successful, she said, as two people opted for a full treatment after their initial fix.

Art + Science was showing off its two newest hires—a massage therapist and esthetician (who also is a license massage therapist). The free massages offered by the new employees were an effort to "invoke the community," Marroni said.

As a concept salon working with natural beauty supplier Aveda, Art + Science tries to stir the five senses for its customers. Many aspects of the shop are recycled, reused or eco-friendly—from flooring to stairwell banisters to nonvolatile paint.

The first-floor showroom, with green cosmetics from Aveda, is aromatic, and, as Marroni said, the senses are engaged with relaxing sounds, complimentary drinks or food, and soup-to-nuts spa-like treatment for hair appointments. A typical Art + Science haircut starts at $50.

Massages in varying forms are priced from $50 to $300, with many options for facials, waxing and skin care treatments.

Spa packages range from "Gentleman's Escape—a two-hour facial and natural massages ($170) — to "Pure Indulgence," including a stone massage, face and body experience, steam bath, facial, eye treatment, hair and scalp renewal, shampooing and makeup application ($575).

With the first annual Manayunk EcoArts Festival scheduled Sept. 25 and 26, Art + Science is set to exhibit on Main Street outside its shop.

"We're going to offer the free treatments, and educate on wellness, sustainability and how to run a green business," Marroni said.

And if you're walking down Main Street soon, popped by the shop and see if free massages are going down.