Left to Right - Mary & Mike Arneson, Jennifer Tollefson, Melissa Picard, Victoria Tollefson, Ryan Tollefson, Randy Bauman, Jerry Tollefson.
Victoria Tollefson, LMT, owner of Body Kneads Therapeutic Massage, LLC, celebrated 20 years in business by opening a new massage and wellness studio at 708 Chicago St., just three blocks north of the river.
The milestone was commemorated Aug. 21, when the Chamber of Commerce of Manitowoc County hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of Body Kneads’ new studio, located inside the 708 Professional Suites. A grand-opening celebration and open house followed, with dozens of attendees getting a first look and tour.
Tollefson founded her massage therapy business in 2006, primarily working inside chiropractic clinics in the Fox Valley area with a mission to provide high-quality, personalized therapeutic bodywork. Six years ago, she also began providing in Manitowoc, at the Marshall Professional Suites. This spring, she decided to commit full-time to the Manitowoc community, pursuing the goal of having her own massage and wellness studio.
The new space was thoughtfully designed to feel welcoming, comfortable and grounding while maintaining a professional atmosphere. Light, calming colors are complemented by natural wood, brick and greenery, while large windows provide plenty of daylight. The studio is clean, quiet, and chemical- and fragrance-free. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary coffee, tea and snack bar, phone-charging station, books, and quiet places to wait indoors or on the porch.
“Reaching 20 years while expanding into this beautiful, fragrance-free environment is a dream come true,” Tollefson said. “My studio is meant to feel like you are coming home to a welcoming, calm, safe place where you can relax, heal, and experience excellent bodywork with genuine care, compassion, and clear professional boundaries.”
Tollefson’s education is based on traditional Swedish techniques, and she specializes in both gentle, relaxing massage and deeper therapeutic work focused on specific muscle recovery goals. Sessions are tailored to each client and may include treatments such as hot stones, steamy towels, cryotherapy, and aromatherapy.
The larger space will allow for an expansion of services, educational workshops, with opportunities to bring on additional therapists, and Victoria hopes to continue supporting the well-being of this community for decades to come.
The ideal clientele for Body Kneads are holistic healing-minded individuals, seeking consistent care to achieve the optimal benefits of massage therapy for muscular tension, headaches, stress-related pain, pregnancy, and recovery from injury or surgery.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit bodykneadsllc.massagetherapy.com or call (920) 422-0681.
