Thurmont Looks To Cure What Ails You

James Rada, Jr.

Walking into Thurmont’s newest event facility on May 31, you might have been surprised to see people getting their eyebrows worked on or lying on a table to get a massage. Hundreds of people attended Thurmont’s first Community Wellness Event in The Vault 1891. The event allowed area residents to meet and chat with doctors, therapists, fitness instructors, beauticians, and more.

A Thurmont resident named Theresa said, “I was walking around outside because it’s such a nice day, and I saw the sign on the sidewalk and decided to come in.”

Once inside, she visited with the 18 vendors who all had something to offer to improve a person’s wellness. These included things like yoga classes, financial planning, healthy foods, sports nutrition, beauty tips, and more. They offered demonstrations, samples, and information to attendees.

“I am definitely interested in taking a look at some of these places in the future,” Theresa said.

Thurmont Main Street Manager Vickie Grinder said she hopes to make this an annual event for the town.

“Our wellness community has grown by leaps and bounds, and this is a way for them to let people know they are here,” she said.

She said everyone knows the role medical professionals play in wellness, but it goes beyond that to include things that improve the mind, body, and soul.

“Something as simple as a yoga class or knowing that your finances are in order can improve how well a person feels,” Grinder said.

She said she was very pleased with the turnout from both vendors and residents. She had planned on having 10 vendors, but 18 eventually were on hand to introduce themselves. Also, The Vault 1891 seemed packed at times.

“If no one else comes in, I would still consider this a good turnout,” Grinder said after the event had been going on for just an hour.

The Community Wellness Event also served as a soft reopening of the Thurmont Bank Building, which sat vacant for years. Mary Beth Davis, the property manager, was on hand to greet attendees and answer any questions they might have.

“We just wanted to tell everyone we’re here and open,” Davis said. She added that some people, including former bank employees, were stopping in not only to talk to the vendors but to see what the building looked like now. “They’re saying, ‘Oh, wow, I didn’t know what it looked like here,’” David said.

One feature that drew a lot of attention was the historic bank vault that gives The Vault 1891 its name. It was open so people could see how thick the door was and look at the old locking mechanisms.

The Vault 1891 also has a second event room that can hold up to 99 people in the back of the building and eight one-bedroom apartments and an Airbnb apartment upstairs.
All in all, the event left everyone feeling pretty good.

Visitors enjoy the first Thurmont Community Wellness Fair in The Vault 1891.

Besides meeting with wellness providers, visitors could sample goods and enjoy a quick massage.