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Wednesday
May042011
The Invasion of the Body (and Foot) Rubbers Continues
Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 11:03AM
When Cohen Realty, on Seventh near Sterling Place, closed up a few months ago, it was replaced without much fanfare by "Healthy Body and Foot Rub," a relatively foreboding storefront with a garish neon sign and windows covered up by tightly drawn curtains.
Now it appears as if 169 Fifth Avenue, between Lincoln and Berkeley (Last home to jewelers Gemini Treasury and Crystallized), has been bestowed the honor of housing a nearly identical "Body and Foot Rub" parlor, complete with bright neon and windows that are impossible to see into.
Is it possible that the parlor on Seventh actually made enough money to justify opening another branch? I've never seen anyone entering or leaving it, and it has no online presence whatsoever.
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Reader Comments (6)
this is ripe for some investigation--I mean nail salons are one thing but if there is a market for these places I absolutely cannot imagine it would be in Park Slope. would love to hear some follow up.
Any salon that offers a "rub" means it is an illegal, unlicensed massage "parlor." More often than not, workers are illegal immigrants, with little to no training in bodywork. In New York State, licensed massage therapists must complete a MINIMUM 1000 hours of training in anatomy and physiology, neurology, pathology, principles of eastern medicine, and have documented and supervised clinical, hands-on experience in Swedish, Medical, Shiatsu and Sports massage. Passing the 1000 hours of training is not enough to gain licensure - one must sit for a state board exam and be subject to a full background check, just like doctors and nurses. "Body and Foot Rub" places have no such guarantee, and as such, are unsafe, and unethical. Other indicators: if the price is too good to be true, it most likely is, and if they can't speak english, they could not have passed the state board exam. Always ask to see the individual license of your massage therapist - it must be renewed every two years, and new legislation has recently passed which will make continuing education a requirement for maintaining state licensure.
Not the most appealing business in the area, but I have seen a bit of traffic in this location. There must be a market for their services in the area, especially since they have expanded. I guess it's better having this new place than another empty storefront. If they didnt move in who knows how long it would take for another decent business come fill that location.
If the Hand, Body and Foot Rub shop doesn't have any online presence, intensive background checking must be done before trying their service. There must be something behind those glossy windows and thick curtains.
Its a hand job place. My ex-husband admitted to using their services on a number of occasions.
ITS A GREAT PLACE TO GO AND RELAX