Just more than a year old, L & A Healing Studio is fast becoming a South Loop destination. "People say, "it feels like you guys have been here forever," but we got the keys on July 6 of last year and we were open the week of July 25," remembered Leo Gonzalez, the "L" of "L and A."
His partner, Alex Agudo, is the "A," and his and Gonzalez's space represents a unique fusion of their interests. Gonzalez is a massage therapist with over 10 years of experience; Agudo makes jewelry and has a background in art therapy. The shop's front is full of eclectic pieces of jewelry and clothing, often made of recyclable materials like old couches and saris. Eighty percent of the artists represented are local.
"We have artists from the West Loop, from Bucktown, from Chatham, from Bronzeville, from Englewood, from the South Loop, from Humboldt Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, the suburbs," Agudo said.
The next room is a exercise room, equipped with a trampoline and suitable for yoga, Pilates and dance. In the back are a massage area and a relaxation room with a couch and magazines—and perhaps even one of the couple's dogs. The connection between these spaces, according to Gonzalez, is the feeling these activities give you.
"Whenever you go shopping, you feel happy. You buy something that's nice, you feel good. You work out, you feel good, you get deep tissue massage, you feel good afterward," Gonzalez explained. "A lot of times people walk into the space and they say, "it feels like home."
This friendly atmosphere is crucial to both partners. "This is a political-free, religiously free ... you come in here, there's neutral ground. It doesn't matter where you come from, you're in here, you're in L & A and you're part of the family. We don't exclude anyone," said Agudo.
Neutral ground is also important as the couple negotiate their business and personal relationship.
"Anything we have stays outside the door," said Agudo. "Not just being partners in life but partners in business, we have to learn to forget things very quickly. We can come in here talking about what we didn't like about each other in the morning, but as soon as we walk in the door, it's all business. "
So far, it's been a fulfilling arrangement. "I think we're both learning from each other a lot. Leo is the driving force when it comes to getting things done: I tend to be more of a procrastinator. We balance each other out," said Agudo.
"We're seeing our weaknesses and our strengths," Gonzalez added. "Alex is one of the friendliest people I've ever met. He's good with the clients, he treats them with respect."
"I love to chat with people," said Agudo, with a laugh. "You make eye contact with me, I'm expecting a conversation." Agudo's warmth influences how he sells art. "If somebody buys a product, say a necklace, the person is not just buying the necklace, they're buying a piece of the personality of the artist," Agudo explained.
Gonzalez, who's more introverted, connects to his clients in his own way. "Sometimes I have people get massages and they're quiet," he said. "And then you have those people who like to talk, and that's their therapeutic release. A lot of clients, it's a stressful world out there, and they don't have anyone to talk to. They're looking for that intimacy. You have to build a rapport with them."
The South Loop has proven a good fit for L & A. "I think the South Loop is very fresh. It's what, 20 years old? So it's still building its identity, compared to other places around the city," said Gonzalez. The couple say people wave at them as they pass by the shop windows and check on them if they leave the space early. They also want to inspire community among those they work with by hosting monthly artists meetings and looking for teachers with good communication skills. These practitioners help with the myriad of classes L & A offer, all of which have the same goal of relaxation and making the body feel good.
"Dance, yoga, fitness, pilates—it's a whole combination," said Agudo, who's taught jewelry making classes for 12 years. "I always saw how clients came in stressed out and a little bit uptight, but once we started chatting and making jewelry, everything went away and they would leave feeling so relaxed. I truly believe in art therapy. Whether you just sit down and scribble or make a piece of jewelry, you just need some time for you to make it."
Agudo is particularly excited to run kids' classes, which include art, yoga, and even Latin ballroom dance.
"We're not just teaching them how to make something. They're learning languages, they're learning metalsmithing, they're learning how to use their hands. They're also learning critical thinking, " Agudo explained. " A well-rounded child is going to do better when they're exposed to different things. These camps help them not only develop friendships, but they feel free when they're in the store. And they make really nice things."
Future plans include expanding L & A's services to include acupuncture and herbs, since Gonzalez is finishing up his degree in Chinese medicine. In April, L & A hosted a coffee fest that brought over 100 people from all over the city to the shop, and they're looking to do something similar with an upcoming global music night. It's a lot for a two-man show, and that's what L & A is for the moment.
"He's up until 2 a.m., and I'm up until 4 a.m.," said Agudo about his partner and himself. Yet they feel the community they've built is worth their efforts. "A lot of the clients, they treat us like family, said Gonzalez. "They're like, you guys need to get rest, don't burn yourself out. They've brought us food. They say 'thank you for being here.'"
"We have clients who come in, have a cup of coffee and we're chatting about their day, or they'll come in and bring a bottle of wine," said Agudo. "We just want people to be happy here. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way."
Find out more about L & A Healing Studios at LAHealingStudio.com .
