Pause Studio to Open 4,600-Square-Foot Recovery Studio in Charlotte's South End in November

Pause Studio has inked a deal for a 4,600-square-foot studio at 124 E. Kingston Ave. in South End, Charlotte, slated to open in November, according to Yahoo. The recovery-focused wellness concept offers flotation therapy, infrared sauna, cold plunges, IV drips and cryotherapy, with introductory packages and memberships at 50% off through Nov. 13.

Pause Studio's South End Studio Plans

The studio will occupy the ground floor of the Kingston South End luxury residential building. Mike Thaler and his wife Brooke, both Charlotteans, have teamed up with Whitney and Jonathan Culp on the South End franchise, and the couples are committed to expanding the concept throughout the Charlotte region.

"Interest has really grown, and South End is full of people who already make wellness a part of their week, so it's a natural fit," Thaler said.

Franchise disclosure documents for the company state the estimated initial investment is between $880,000 and $1.5 million to open a studio, including a $60,000 franchise fee. Offerings will include flotation therapy, infrared sauna and cold plunges, alongside IV drips designed to hydrate, support immunity and detoxify, treatments for cellular repair, boosting energy levels and slowing the signs of aging, LED light therapy to restore skin, compression to improve circulation and ease swelling, and cryotherapy.

"Most people are forced to piece together their wellness routine from different places: a gym for recovery, a spa for the sauna, a clinic for IVs. Pause brings all of that under one roof," Thaler said.

Pause Float Studio's Existing Footprint

Pause Float Studio LLC operates Pause Studio, a 2016-founded Los Angeles-based wellness franchise, according to akta.pro company records. The same records list 9+ open studios across California, Colorado and Florida, with active locations in Brentwood, Long Beach, Newport Beach, South Bay, Studio City, Venice and West Hollywood, plus Boulder and Coral Gables.

In 2024 the company announced four additional studio locations coming soon in Scottsdale, Castro/San Francisco, Encinitas and Woodland Hills, and extended its footprint beyond California into Colorado and Florida. It also launched Sauna Social, a communal contrast therapy experience for up to 8 guests combining infrared sauna and cold plunge, at Studio City and Coral Gables.

Other Wellness Operators Expanding

Soho House is opening its fourth New York City club in early 2028 at the 1903 Johnston Building in NoMad, featuring a 20,000-square-foot Soho Health Club with saunas, ice baths and a hammam, the New York Post reported. Equinox will open Terminal Warehouse in West Chelsea on Nov. 10, a restored 1891 landmark with a 7,000-foot strength training floor, reformer Pilates, contrast therapy and coworking, Athletechnews reported.

Pause Studio's Next Steps

Pause Studio's South End studio is slated to open in November, and introductory packages and memberships are available at 50% off through Nov. 13. The company's website lists its studio locations and services.