SAUGUS — A new wellness center is coming to Route 1.
Lynnfield High graduate Charles Arakelian earned the unanimous backing of the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night, when it issued an S-2 permit clearing the way for Arakelian to open his third Stretch Zone franchise. Stretch Zone, according to its website, is a Florida-based company that utilizes patented equipment to “properly position, stabilize, isolate, and manipulate muscles using powerful principles of neuromuscular behavior.”
“At Stretch Zone we use patented equipment to position and stabilize muscles, allowing for long-lasting results, some benefits of practitioner assistance stretching, or keeping your muscles strong, flexible, and healthy,” Arakelian told 01940.
The Saugus location is set to go into 171 Broadway, just down Route 1 from the site of the old 99 Restaurant. Located on the southbound side of the highway, the property was previously home to a hair salon. Attorney Joe Brodigan, who represented Arakelian before the board, said Arakelian is in the process of securing a five-year lease.
“We believe it would be a big advantage to the community and the residents of Saugus,” he told the board.
Practitioners hired by Arakelian are sent to Florida to train before they begin working with clients, according to Brodigan.
Arakelian’s other two Stretch Zone locations are in Wayland and Woburn, Brodigan said.
The Saugus location will have four tables where customers can be stretched out. Each person will be assigned an individual trainer for their session, Arakelian told the board. Stretch Zone will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and will close at 4 p.m. on the weekends.
The Stretch Zone proposal drew no public comment from residents, and little questioning from board members. Corinne Riley noted that the fire department told the board they had no objections to the proposal, pending a life-safety walkthrough and proper permitting for the new build-out.
Selectman Michael Serino made the motion to approve Arakelian’s proposal, and all five members of the board voted in support of granting the permit.
