Richardson is recognized as the first city of health and wellness

RICHARDSON – The city of Richardson has approved the first health and wellness village to be built near the city. It will focus on the needs of mothers and children but also provide experiences that everyone can enjoy.

Dr. Courtney Gowin has a passion for helping mothers and babies. At Addison’s Nest, a chiropractor offers services for pregnancy, birth, and more. It’s a dream that came to life 10 years ago when he found a building listing on Craigslist.

“The room downstairs was for rent, and I spoke to the lady, and she took a risk on me,” he said.

At first, he had enough space to provide chiropractic care.

“Then, two years later, I was given the opportunity to take over all three phases, so we were able to build a 3,000 square meter maternity health center in four weeks,” Gowin said.

Services have expanded to include pelvic floor physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, nutrition, and more. However, Gowin says that more importantly, what this did was the community.

“What’s interesting is that at the time I opened this, I was suffering from severe postpartum depression and it was community engagement that got me out of depression,” she said. said so.

She has seen the impact Nest has had not only on her but on other mothers as well.

“I have a few friends that come here and it’s like a community thing,” said mother Libby Cook.

“When you’re a new mom, you have this feeling of living like that, so to have Dr. Courtney and all his staff here and other businesses is really helpful,” said mother Linh Hoang. . “It makes you feel less alone and go through these things alone.”

Now, Gowin says demand is at an all-time high. So again, he came up with an expansion plan.

“We see about 1,200 people a month and 80% of them live in Richardson, so it made sense to build this in Richardson,” he said.

He encountered land near the town of Richardson, and his gears began to turn. He contacted the owner of the house.

“It wasn’t for sale and I knocked on his door in the middle of the night and said, ‘Hey, I know you don’t know me, but if you’re interested in sitting down let me know,'” he said. .

He said he liked his vision to create the Nest Wellness Village on the southeast corner of East Kaufman and South Texas.

“It’s really built for the community that Magnolia has built in Waco and the beauty of Flora Farms in Cabo,” he said.

The project will be hosted by a large 4,000-square-foot building and will be surrounded by a large green area and bungalows. Art galleries, bakeries, a public garden, an open market, restaurants and shopping areas are among the proposed uses. A private sponsor provides all the funds.

“I think this is going to be a great thing for people to go to,” said Jennifer Justice of the Richardson City Council. “Even though you’re focused on being a mother, some of the things you talked about putting out there could be good for the whole population.”

Last month, the Richardson City Council unanimously approved a plan for a mixed-use health and wellness center.

“It doesn’t feel real but it also feels really good,” Gowin said.

He hopes this will serve as a reminder to others—no dream is too big.

“Whenever your cause is bigger than you are, you can take those steps and things fall into place,” Gowin said.

Learn more here: Nest Wellness Village