The wellness-centric shop that makes prevention look stylish

While doctors may remind us that prevention is one of the keys to staying healthy, it’s not exactly high on the list of things that are cool, fun, or even beautifully designed.

That’s about to change this week, with the help of Rachel Shechtman and Story, her much-lauded 2,000 square foot Chelsea retail space in Manhattan that curates products around a central theme, much like the nearby art galleries.

Story’s new topic (its 27th “installation”) is all about wellness, with a shoppable space open from January 19 through February 28 that Shechtman describes as “a conversation around the little things you can do to feel good.” From smart socks that serve as a real-time running coach to a high-tech spoon that buzzes when you eat too quickly, she and her team have gathered items that look as good as they’ll make you feel.

“It’s not a luxury anymore to think about wellness and well-being; it’s a necessity,” says Shechtman, who’s created installations around art, love, and color, and who partnered with the insurance company Cigna on the latest Story iteration. “You don’t associate going to the doctor or thinking about prevention as something that’s fun or even possibly enjoyable, so that’s something we tried to do [with this installation].”

In addition to stocking cool-hunted products (some available exclusively at Story—think along the lines of Closca’s chic collapsible bike helmet) and sections curated by some of Shechtman’s favorite figures in the wellness world (including, ahem, Well+Good, which picked out some natural beauty favorites), she also wanted to create experiences in the space.

So in between testing out aromatherapy scents that promise to help you sleep better, you can try out Cigna’s Virtual Relaxation Pod, which uses Oculus technology to transport you to a jungle, beach, or wooded setting for two minutes of guided meditation. (The sleek white-and-blue pod, while sadly not for sale, looks like it came straight out of a design magazine.)

There are also free events running throughout the month, including a slew of Well+Good-selected classes by AKT in Motion, Taryn Toomey, and more, alongside cooking classes and panels. The end result is what Shechtman dubs as CES-meets-MoMA-meets-TED Talks—in other words, she says, “a unique mash-up of information, exploration, understanding, and learning.” With a dash of cool factor.

So if the products you pick up turn your apartment into a contemporary art space that also does the body good? Even better. —Rebecca Willa Davis

Story: Wellness, January 19–February 28, 144 10th Avenue, New York, NY, 10011, 212-242-4853, thisistory.com

Need a new year workout? We can help with that, too: Here are 17 new studios in New York City that you’ll definitely want to check out.

(Photos: Drew Innis)