Twin Cities’ Sauna Society Launches Nation’s First Sauna Cooperative

On Monday, April 24th the 612 Sauna Society announced that we will close our successful Membership Campaign by the end of the month. Twin Cities Sauna lovers will have one more week to become Member-Owners of the nation’s first Sauna Co-Op.

“The most commonly asked question by people who did not join? ‘When can I get into Sauna?’” said campaign director Teke O’Reilly. “The answer: YOU CAN’T. This cooperative was built by and for Founding Members.” The question we most commonly ask? “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!” Join now to get priority access, or be left in the cold.”

Starting modestly in 2013 with a handful of curious friends gathering at the tiny Firehouse Sauna, the Society has steadily and rapidly grown, proving to be an explosive re-emergence of the great Northern tradition of Sauna.

612 Sauna Society Founding Member-Owner Sarah McGee welcoming a cold spring rain at the Membership kickoff party at the Firehouse Sauna in South Minneapolis.

In the winter of 2014, new saunas began to appear on the scene, but demand has continued to outpace available seats. Little Box Sauna held residencies around the city and a dedicated volunteer corps emerged. A dozen of these volunteers organized a Steering Committee to create a formal cooperative — designed to bring an affordable Sauna experience to as many people as possible.

The City of Minneapolis awarding Steering Committee members Margie Weaver and John Pederson graduation certificates from the City’s Cooperative Technical Assistance Program in June of 2016.

The group’s Kickstarter campaign launched in October 2016, guaranteeing immediate and priority access to supporters who pledge at a Founder Level. The campaign funded in November and — thanks to dozens of volunteers contributing hundreds of hours — the new Sauna was finished in time for its first residency at Surly Brewing Company in February, followed by the American Swedish Institute through March.

“The greatest threat to community is the belief that someone else will create it,” said Founding Member-Owner Haley Cureton. “I love hanging around people that are NOT waiting for someone else to do the work, but rather actively showing up to build and sustain a community of learning and practice and personal/collective growth together, right now.”

Enrollment is available on the 612 Sauna Society Website and will close April 30th, or as soon as all the remaining 70 spots are filled — whichever happens first.

See you on the bench!

Kickstarter Founders cooling down between Sauna rounds at Surly Brewery.

Volunteers pitching in to build decking for The Forge, the nations’ first community-owned mobile sauna.