Massage therapist sets up shop on the Greenfield square

GREENFIELD — Growing up along the Texas-Oklahoma border, Anna Somtch moved to Iowa when she was 13. Little did she know, moving here would eventually lead her into a business venture owning a massage therapy shop in Greenfield.

Wandering Hearts opened at 176 Public Square recently, in the former home of Invenergy. A ribbon cutting was held with Greenfield Chamber/Main Street executive director Stacie Eshelman present last Wednesday.

Somtch brings into her new endeavor a wealth of experience gained from giving massages at renaissance fairs and working as a nurse. She also has crafts for sale that are made primarily for renaissance fairs.

Somtch previously lived in Nevada in Story County before moving here in August.

“I’ve been certified in Iowa for about the last two years,” Somtch said. “I’ve been unofficially doing massage therapy for quite some time because I learned from medical professionals when I went into nursing and it was part of my training.”

Somtch said that when she found a chance to go to school to study massage therapy she jumped on it, enrolling in PCI Academy in Ames.

“At the New Year two years ago I walked into the school and asked when their beginning course was for massage therapy. They said it’s tomorrow, so I said ‘I’ll be there.’ I continued there and graduated at the top of my class,” Somtch said.

Somtch is trained in various types of massage which are listed on her shop’s Facebook page. She said she looked various places for buildings to open up a shop, however regulations on massage therapy facilities limited them. With a fresh coat of paint and a few other updates, she is pleased with how this building met her needs.

“I would be excited to work with people here,” Somtch said. “My prices may feel a little high to some people, however I give general discounts for a multitude of things — to veterans, police officers, EMTs. If they come to me and are willing to tell me their story I’ll find them a discount.”