Wellness, innovation, and a commitment to community came together on August 11 as Elevate Rapid City joined The Body Spa & Cryo to celebrate its expansion into a fully renovated, state-of-the-art facility in Rapid City. The event marked not just a ribbon cutting, but a reflection on 14 years of growth and the beginning of a bold new chapter for one of South Dakota’s leading holistic wellness destinations.
Founded in 2011 by Tara Mechaley, The Body Spa & Cryo has evolved from a modest 500-square-foot massage studio into a 3,400-square-foot wellness hub offering advanced therapies and a deeply rooted mission of service. “I was born and raised in Rapid City,” said Mechaley. “It’s an honor to give back to the community I love through this business.”
Now the longest-running cryotherapy provider in South Dakota and the largest VA massage therapy vendor in the state, The Body Spa & Cryo serves hundreds of veterans, first responders, and wellness seekers each month. With a focus on both therapeutic and preventative care, the spa’s offerings include massage therapy, skincare, infrared saunas, red light therapy, and cutting-edge services like whole-body and localized cryotherapy.
The expansion includes the addition of the Artica Ethos dual-chamber electric cryotherapy system—one of only 11 of its kind in the entire country—further cementing The Body Spa & Cryo’s position at the forefront of wellness innovation in the region.
“The last 14 years have been about showing up for our clients and our community,” Mechaley added. “This new space reflects not just our growth, but our promise to continue making advanced wellness services accessible to all.”
Elevate Rapid City’s Business Development Manager Kallie Ruland applauded the expansion, emphasizing its broader community impact. “This is what entrepreneurship in Rapid City looks like—rooted in purpose, driven by innovation, and always focused on giving back,” said Ruland. “Tara and her team are elevating not just individual wellness, but the well-being of our region as a whole.”
With its expanded footprint and enhanced capabilities, The Body Spa & Cryo is poised to serve even more people while staying true to its original mission: to heal, uplift, and give back. As Rapid City grows, businesses like this remind us that economic development is also about investing in the people who call this community home.
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