The new year offers the perfect opportunity to prioritize self-care and wellness. For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, The Stretch Garden in Aquebogue provides a unique approach to health. Opened in late 2024, this inventive facility blends modern wellness practices with the serene spirit of Long Island’s North Fork.
Offering various services designed to relieve stress and enhance overall health, The Stretch Garden has quickly become a haven for those looking to start the year with a fresh perspective.
A Family Vision for Wellness
The Stretch Garden was founded by Carissa and Nick Kretchmer, a mother-son duo who combined their expertise and passion for fitness to create a one-of-a-kind facility. Carissa is a former personal trainer with a background in biology and holistic nutrition. She decided to shift her focus from intense workouts to healing practices.
“I was working as a personal trainer for about 10 years, and I was really done,” Carissa explains. “I wrote a couple of books and was a holistic nutrition counselor. When I came into stretching, I thought, ‘I’m done eating people up. I’m gonna start healing them.’”
Nick is a fitness enthusiast and former lifeguard who found a natural fit in the business. He had worked at stretch studios and built a loyal clientele—many of whom now regularly visit The Stretch Garden.
Nick explains how the idea for their facility was born during a family ski trip: “I tried snowboarding for the first time and was sore everywhere. My mom stretched me out, and we thought, ‘We should do something like this.’”
Creating a North Fork Retreat
The Kretchmers chose Aquebogue for two reasons: its relaxing ambiance and its growing popularity. They decorated the facility with driftwood from North Shore beaches. As a result, The Stretch Garden reflects the area’s tranquility. “We wanted to be first,” Carissa confirms. “We have this great idea, and we wanted to stand out.”
Innovative Amenities for Total Relaxation
The Stretch Garden offers a range of state-of-the-art amenities promoting physical and mental health. These include:
- Cold Plunge: A 40-degree plunge pool that invigorates and encourages an endorphin rush.
- Sauna with Red Light Therapy: This complementary treatment to the cold plunge enhances circulation and relaxation.
- Zero-Gravity Chair with Light Therapy: A chair that adjusts massage settings based on heart rate, paired with full-spectrum light therapy.
- Salt Room: A space that encourages relaxation and lung cleansing through salt-infused air, weighted blankets, and lounge chairs.
- Stretch Room: A dedicated area for guided stretch sessions.
Nick highlights the benefits of the salt room: “The salt generator blows super fine grains of salt into the air. It gets into the tiny cavities of your lungs and melts away mucus and gunk. It’s super nice and helps on the skin, too.”
The facility encourages a multi-step wellness routine. Guests often alternate between the cold plunge and sauna before unwinding in the anti-gravity chair or salt room.
A Holistic Approach to Wellness
The Kretchmers view their offerings as preventative health measures that address muscular, cardiovascular, and mental well-being. “We have meditation pillows and weighted blankets in the salt room,” Carissa confirms. “Some people are so relaxed after their stretch session that they don’t want to leave. That’s what inspired the salt room.”
The Stretch Garden shares its building with an acupuncturist, making it a hub for complementary wellness services.
A Warm Reception
Since its November opening, The Stretch Garden has seen significant interest—particularly on Friday nights when locals look to decompress after a hectic workweek.
Carissa wants people to try their services—even if they’ve never done anything like it: “We have memberships and packages. But if you’re curious, just come and try it out. We’re so different from any other stretch therapy you can find.”
Whether you’re seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, or a fresh start, The Stretch Garden offers an inviting space to prioritize health and wellness in 2025.
