Josh Simmons admits that what happens inside the Hydration Station might look unusual at first: Perfectly healthy customers, including him, paying money to have an IV inserted into their arm.
“The optics of it are a little extreme,” Simmons said on Friday. “But it’s well within the realm of what I think people should consider.”
It’s called IV therapy, a wellness practice that delivers intravenous doses of vitamins, minerals, and — if needed — pain and nausea relievers.
Owner Chris Jaeger, in partnership with his anaesthesiologist wife and other medical professionals, launched the Hydration Station as a mobile business in 2019. At the time, they marketed its services chiefly to athletes and wedding parties — groups of people whose activities were likely to leave them dehydrated and nursing headaches, one way or another.
He was afraid COVID-19 would stifle his business. To his surprise, he said he’s seen more demand for IV therapy than ever.
Although it can’t cure or reduce a customer’s chances of contracting COVID, it’s newly appealing to clients who are thinking more than ever about their health.
“With everyone super hyper-focused around wellness and their wellbeing overall, it’s been better for us,” Jaeger said.
Good enough, in fact, to invest in a permanent downtown space.
The Hydration Station opens over Labor Day weekend and will offer IV therapy every Friday, Saturday and Sunday moving forward.
