Minneapolis is getting a sauna big enough for 50 people. All's Well Sauna and Waterspa opens in October just west of downtown Minneapolis, and it's one of several Nordic-style bathhouses taking shape across Minnesota right now. Here's what's inside, who's behind it, and why it matters for the Twin Cities.
What's Inside All's Well Sauna and Waterspa
The new bathhouse sits at 201 N. Irving Ave. in an 8,000-square-foot space. The centerpiece is a 50-person sauna, joined by:
- A steam room
- A salt room
- Warm and cold plunge pools
- Massage rooms
- A relaxation area filled with plants
Capacity is capped at 64 guests. That cap matters, because a sauna this large only feels relaxing if the rest of the space doesn't feel packed.
Presale memberships are available now at discounted rates. Plans start at $120 a month for four visits and go up to $349 a month for unlimited access. The founders expect evenings and weekends to be the busiest times.
Three Founders Who Bet Their Homes on It
All's Well comes from Caity Beaudoin, Emileigh Barnes, and Mike Kern. They wanted a sauna-centered place to unwind and socialize in Minneapolis, couldn't find one, and decided to build it themselves.
They funded most of the project on their own, using personal savings for the down payment and a Small Business Administration loan for the rest, with their homes pledged as collateral. Before committing to a permanent location, Kern ran a mobile sauna pop-up at Utepils Brewing during the winter to test demand and build an early following.
Minnesota businesses did much of the work:
- Collage Architects of Minneapolis handled architecture
- Minneapolis-based Christian Dean led interior design
- The saunas were built by BW Sauna Co. of Duluth and Finnbilt of Rogers
Minnesota's Sauna Scene Is Heating Up
All's Well is part of a bigger wave. In St. Paul, Finn Hollow Sauna Retreat and Coffee Shop is preparing to open in the former Swede Hollow Cafe space this fall. In the North Loop, New York-based Bathhouse is developing a three-story wellness club with multiple saunas and a rooftop pool, scheduled for 2027.
Outside the metro, Sisu + Löyly in Grand Marais is expanding with a 2,000-square-foot bathhouse overlooking Lake Superior, and Scandvik Hotels is planning a Scandinavian-inspired hotel and spa southwest of Minneapolis.
Why It Matters for the Twin Cities
For a region that spends months indoors every year, sauna culture offers something the Twin Cities has been short on: a social gathering spot that isn't built around a bar or a restaurant. It's a winter plan that doesn't involve bundling up just to sit in another dining room.
It's also a strong example of local small business investment. When founders stake their own homes on a project and hire Minnesota firms to build it, more of that money stays in the community. For east metro residents, the St. Paul opening this fall may end up being the closer option to try first.
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