Sauna and cold plunge business cleared to open in Salt Lake City
Built World Salt Lake City, UT localSauna Public receives county health department food establishment license for its 1952 E 2700 S location
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Overview
Updated 1 hour agoA new sauna and cold plunge business has been cleared to operate in Salt Lake City. Sauna Public LLC's food establishment license appeared on the Salt Lake County Health Department's public list on September 5, 2026, covering its location at 1952 E 2700 S in the Sugar House area.
The license is required because the business sells beverages alongside its bathhouse services. Sauna Public offers a traditional Finnish sauna, a large cold plunge pool, and infrared sauna, part of the contrast therapy trend that has grown in the wellness industry over the past decade.
Why it matters
Salt Lake City's east side gains a new sauna and cold plunge option, part of the wellness industry's shift toward contrast therapy.
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Organizations Involved
Sauna and cold plunge facility offering traditional Finnish sauna, infrared sauna, and cold plunge.
County agency that issues food establishment permits for businesses selling food or beverages.
Timeline
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Sauna Public license appears on county list
Today LicensingSauna Public LLC's food establishment license appears on the Salt Lake County Health Department's public list, clearing the business to operate at 1952 E 2700 S.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
Finnish sauna in America (late 19th-20th century)
Finnish immigrants brought the sauna tradition to the United States, particularly in the Upper Midwest. Public bathhouses were common in American cities in the early 20th century, serving both hygiene and social functions.
Saunas became a staple of Finnish-American communities and public bathhouses served urban populations.
Public bathhouses declined by mid-century, but sauna culture persisted in fitness clubs and private homes.
Sauna Public's traditional Finnish sauna draws on this long history, reviving the public bathhouse model with modern wellness amenities.
Wim Hof method and cold exposure trend (2010s-2020s)
Dutch athlete Wim Hof popularized cold exposure through his method combining breathing techniques and cold baths. His documentaries and endorsements brought ice baths and cold plunges into mainstream wellness.
Cold plunge tubs appeared in gyms, spas, and homes across the US.
Contrast therapy (alternating heat and cold) became a standard offering in upscale wellness facilities.
Sauna Public's large cold plunge is a direct product of this trend, pairing heat and cold in a single facility.
Boutique fitness boom (2010s)
Specialized fitness studios like SoulCycle, Barry's, and Orangetheory grew rapidly, offering premium, focused workout experiences. These businesses charged higher prices for specialized services and built loyal communities.
Boutique fitness became a major segment of the wellness industry.
The model expanded beyond fitness to include recovery services like saunas, cold plunges, and compression therapy.
Sauna Public follows this boutique model, offering a specialized sauna and cold plunge experience with memberships and punch passes.
