Blue Creek, an urban health retreat

From the beginning, Cherie Monlezun and Megan Moon wanted to do things differently.

“If the only tool you have in the toolbox is a hammer, than everything looks like a nail,” Monlezun said, quoting a line she heard from a college professor while she was earning her master’s in expressive arts therapy.

Monlezun and Moon own Blue Creek, an urban health retreat that opened in April in the East 29th Avenue Town Center. They both wanted to create a place that wasn’t only focused on healthcare offerings or spa services, but a wide range of therapies across the areas of acupuncture, massage, skincare and community healing.

“We’ve both had experience in private practice, but … we wanted to create a new model,” said Moon, a licensed acupuncturist and esthetician.

She said that involves a fresh understanding of health and wellness.

“We work with the area medical community,” Moon said, adding Blue Creek’s services may be preventative or fit around pre-and post-medical procedures.

Blue Creek’s interior is also different.  “In addition to the health of its community, Blue Creek is also committed to the health of the planet, striving to contribute to a sustainable environment. As you enter Blue Creek, you are surrounded by reclaimed and refurbished wood accents and building materials, Aspen trees, a running creek – all with a touch of elegance,” according to the health retreat’s recent press release.

Moon has heard it called “rustic-chic.” 

“We wanted our interior to represent our brand,” she said.

Blue Creek also has a multi-purpose room that is used for acupuncture as well events. “There are so many ways a business can participate in the community,” said Monlezun, who is also a massage therapist. She said the room may be used for blood drives, charity gatherings and other occasions.

After only a few weeks, Blue Creek is thriving.

“We’ve already built a pretty big patient base in Stapleton,” Moon said. “Of all the places we’ve been, we’ve seen the biggest growth here.”

Monlezun said Blue Creek plans to add several new employees and could grow its services.

“Part of what inspired this (Blue Creek), is that we want to do things radically different. We don’t just want to do status quo,” she said. “Megan and I are practitioners and business owners … the idea of adding other modalities is exciting, but we don’t want to move outside of what we are experts in.”

Learn more: Visit Blue Creek at BlueCreekHealth.com