Watershed Spa and Baths to Host September 29 Launch Party

Communal bathing and spa location is first of its kind in the Twin Cities

Watershed – the first-to-market bathing and spa destination in the Twin Cities - is set to open. Spa services are already available, and construction of the baths is complete. Communal bathing, steam rooms, and sauna will be offered in the very near future, pending final permits.

The Watershed team is co-hosting a joint celebration and open house with next-door neighbor, Spoke & Weal Salon, on September 29th from 6-8 pm. Guests are invited to roam about both spaces and enjoy live music, complimentary food and beverage offerings, and chances to win giveaways. This event is free and open to the public, RSVP’s are requested. Watershed and Spoke & Weal are located in Switch House (the former Soap Factory building), 514 2nd Street SE. Switch House is also a party co-host.

Taking inspiration from the timeless tradition of communal bathing, Watershed has a mission to provide restorative healing in a communal setting. The spa and bathhouse embrace an inclusive, whole-systems approach designed to infuse every step of the bathing ritual and spa experience with clean, positive energy to optimize healing and promote vibrancy.

Honoring its historic location in southeast Minneapolis in the Switch House, Watershed taps into the energy of the riverfront. Founder Nell Rueckl explains the inspiration behind the name, ”A watershed moment is a turning point, a time when important change happens,” she says. “We are at a moment in history when we need deep healing for ourselves, our communities, and our planet.”

The spa consists of 11,000 square feet on two levels. At 4,500 square feet, the main floor is devoted to comprehensive holistic spa treatments, including bodywork (prenatal, cupping and shiatsu, Thai, craniosacral, reflexology, energy work + reiki, chakra balancing), facials, acupuncture, and vibrational sound therapy. 

The bathhouse adds 6,500 square feet, which includes communal bathing with a soaking pool, a cold plunge, a steam room, and a cedar sauna. The space also includes a “Recharge Garden” area specifically designated for reflection and relaxation. In short, Watershed is a holistic healing environment unparalleled in the Upper Midwest.

Watershed is the realization of founder Nell Rueckl’s long-held dream to bring communal bathing to the Twin Cities. A true pioneer and leader in the healing community, Rueckl is the founder of Spot Spas in Minneapolis, creator of Nell’s Remedies, and the visionary behind Watershed Spa. After years of research, she is thrilled to welcome people to participate in the bathing ritual and experience the expansive services. Rueckl designed an urban wellness center, offering a robust menu of various modalities, many of which are not typically found in traditional spa settings.

Nell Rueckl forged her career at Horst’s renowned Aveda Destination Spa in Osceola, Wisconsin, and Kabuki Springs in San Francisco and is recognized within the Minnesota spa industry as having attained the highest level of mastery. She brings her years of experience and team of expert practitioners to this unique new location. 

Wonder Valley Face Oil is one of the products you'll find among Watershed's retail offerings.“I have been very intentional in my work to create a space where every human can feel safe, calm, and welcomed so that they may heal and be rejuvenated through the bathing ritual,“ she says. The communal experience is central to her vision: “Participating in community allows us to become more whole as individuals. This experience is magnetic and creates a continually regenerative source of energy. It’s transformational at every level.” 

Watershed also has a designated retail area and carries a carefully curated selection of the cleanest, greenest, most sustainably-packaged skincare, wellness, and beauty products, including Arcona, Botnia, Wonder Valley, and Watershed’s own line of salt scrubs, body butters, and a bespoke Watershed Spa scent, available as a fragrance or luxe body oil. Guests will also find artwork by community-based artists and makers.

Membership options and passes areavailable on the Watershed website. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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Founded in 2013 by Jon Reyman and Christine Thompson with a mission to build and maintain a culture that promotes wellness, strives for excellence, and fosters creativity, Spoke & Weal is a full-service salon known for dry cutting, custom dimensional hair color, keratin, extension, and styling services.

Originally launched in San Francisco, the brand now has award-winning salons in Los Angeles, New York City, Palo Alto, Chicago, Boston, and Nashville. The Spoke & Weal team is thrilled to introduce its new location in the historic Switch House building in SE Minneapolis. Instagram: @spokeandweal