A beloved Mt. Airy medical practice that once served more than 6,000 patients has been reborn as a holistic wellness center, bringing a new option for local healthcare and preserving a longtime community medical space.

The Greenhouse Wellness Center, which opened in fall 2023 at 345 E. Mt. Airy Ave., now houses two dozen alternative medicine practitioners offering services from acupuncture to psychotherapy. The facility took over the space previously occupied by Greenhouse Internists, a family practice run by Dr. Elizabeth Fabens for 32 years.

David Leitch and Elizabeth Liddell, both area residents, purchased and renovated the building after Fabens closed her practice in December 2022. The center maintains the "Greenhouse" name, which originally came from a florist shop that occupied the site before it became a medical office. Several of the florist's former customers later became patients at Fabens' clinic.

The building underwent significant expansion in 1994, creating two wings with three exam rooms each. This layout proved ideal for its current use as a wellness center - which now features nine treatment rooms and three psychotherapy spaces, with six rooms equipped with tables for massage and acupuncture.

"As soon as we walked into this building, we loved it," Leitch said. "The treatment rooms are the perfect size." 

Liddell brings substantial experience to the venture, having previously operated a Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture studio at 7152 Germantown Ave. for 17 years. She also teaches at the Won Institute in Warrington, the only accredited acupuncture institute in Pennsylvania.

"We started here with four practitioners, but word spread like wildfire," Liddell said, adding that several were practicing via Zoom and appreciated the flexible office space so close to their home. "Our three therapy rooms are booked every day of the week."

The center houses two medical doctors – a psychiatrist and a dermatologist – alongside alternative medicine practitioners. Services include pain management, Spanish-language therapy and various treatment options covered by insurance.

"Some practitioners specialize in pain management; some take insurance; some speak Spanish," Liddell said. "Some bring their own clients and might be here two or three days a week. This keeps their overhead down while they're growing their practice."

The facility's herbal dispensary has become a distinctive feature, with numerous shelves stocked with medicines giving it the appearance of a traditional pharmacy. This resource serves both practitioners and their clients, offering immediate access to alternative treatments.

Lisa Armstrong, a licensed social worker at the center who specializes in relationship conflict, intimate partner violence, caregiving, aging, grief loss and life transitions, said she appreciates the unique atmosphere. 

"Every time I step into this building, I am reminded how lucky I am," she said. "My clients often share how the space makes them feel. It is welcoming. They come in, pour themselves a cup of tea, and enter an environment that respects stillness."

Ine Jones, a Jamaican-born therapist and nutrition educator who joined the center at its opening, agreed. 

"I like being among the other practitioners, and I enjoy the supportive, calming atmosphere," she said. "My clients love this space, and the herbal dispensary is very helpful. When all things are nourished, you'll be in better health. This is not just a surface issue. It is about falling out of balance."

When Fabens closed her practice, she cited personal reasons and industry challenges. "I have a 95-year-old mother in Cleveland and a new grandchild, and I want to spend more time with my family," she said before the closure. "I tried to find a buyer, but nobody wants to operate an independent practice that is not affiliated with a hospital. We are a dinosaur, and of course, Covid made matters even worse."

Leitch, who also runs a blood donation consulting business, came to Philadelphia five years ago from Seattle with his daughter, Katie, who now lives in the Rittenhouse Square area. He and Liddell met through a mutual friend and maintained a long-distance relationship before settling in Philadelphia together.

For more information, visit greenhousemtairy.com. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com