Santa Barbara County massage parlor moves outdoors for COVID-19 safety
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — With each squeeze and stretch, people have been enjoying a massage experience unlike any other at Little Rainbow Foot Spa.
Across four of its five locations spanning from Solvang to Santa Barbara, the locally owned business is taking advantage of a unique situation by moving its operations outside.
To comply with California’s COVID-19 regulations, large tents have been setup behind each storefront location in order to perform all services.
“I tried to keep the business open because I really want my customers to get massaged and get relaxed,” Little Rainbow Foot Spa owner Shaohong Watanabe said.
Bringing business outdoors has attracted customers.
“Since we opened our outdoor massages, a lot of customers have come back,” Watanabe said. “It’s a good sign.”
With less than half of her employees returning due to coronavirus concerns, safety is a high priority.
Before lying down to have their muscles massaged, clients must have their temperatures taken and wear a mask at all times.
“This was a clean business even before the pandemic and they’re just going the extra mile to make sure everyone is safe,” local resident Debbie Contreras said.
“I’m delighted to see all the masks, I’m delighted to see the gloves and I’m delighted that everybody is paying attention,” one tourist known as BZ said.
Moving outside has presented some unique difficulties, such as withstanding the weather.
“The big challenge is the weather, it’s too hot this summer season,” Watanabe said. “It’s too hot and at nighttime, sometimes too cold.”
Nevertheless, most clients are thankful to sit back and relax.
“It’s just a blessing that they’re able to open up outside,” Contreras said. “This allows them to care for everybody who’s able to come in and get a massage.”
“It should be this way forever because you don’t feel confined,” BZ, concluded. “You also feel that air and the trees just lend themselves to a gentle condition.”
Each of the massage parlor’s four locations are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
For more information about Little Rainbow Foot Spa, visit their website.
