+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Massages help fight economic stress
by Jenn Rains, Hill Country News
The economy has been at the forefront of people's minds with stories about the stock market fluctuating and businesses throughout the country closing stores or going bankrupt. While many businesses and industries continue to flounder in the unstable economy, one particular industry is experiencing good fortune with more customers because of the stressful times. The local massage therapy industry continues to do well despite economic hardships.
As more and more people are stressed about finances, many are turning to massage therapy to help them keep a balance in their lives, said Rima Star, quality officer of seven Massage Envy clinics including one at 1890 Ranch in Cedar Park.
Star said the massage clinics continue to see new customers. “I think all have seen some kind of shift, but it hasn't been a huge one,” she said of the business which has been open almost a year.
The biggest change she's seen is the increase of customers who used to go to more expensive spas who are cutting back and finding more affordable places to receive their massages.
“A lot of people who have private therapists work on them are coming and taking advantage of great prices,” said Traci Stricklan, clinic administrator for Massage Envy. She also said people who didn't use to get massages are coming in because they're stressed.
Bernado Mora of Village Massage Heights of Cedar Park has seen similar trends. Though the business has only been in Cedar Park for about three months and is still trying to get established, Mora said the company is doing well.
He said the economy being what it is creates a positive and negative for the company. If the economy was better, the business would be better, but the stress of the economy is leading to more customers, Mora said.
“With this economy, people are stressed out so they're coming in for massages,” he said.
As a business that offers affordable massages, like Massage Envy, he said some of his clients used to go to spas. Mora said, “The economy is helping us a little bit because people who used to go to a spa are coming to us now.”
As for Alex Matthews, co-owner with wife Vicki of Advanced Therapeutic Massage, he said their business hasn't seen much of a change.
“Initially it slowed down a little bit and then it went back to where it was before,” he said of his business, which has been in Cedar Park for over 10 years and was the first licensed establishment for massage therapy in the city.
He said some new clientele continues to come in and that people are turning to massages to help with stress. Matthews said Advanced Therapeutic's style is to manage stress throughout the year, rather than offering a once-a-year relaxation treat like many spas do.
All three businesses have found much success in Cedar Park and continue to be successful. “It's always been fantastic for us,” said Matthews, who said the business worked to integrate itself into the community from the beginning.
Stricklan of Massage Envy, a nationwide chain which employs about 8,000 therapists, said the owners were looking for ideal spots for Massage Envy businesses and thought Cedar Park would be an ideal location.
In a city that continues to grow and bring in more people, Mora said he expects his business to grow and benefit a lot of people in the area.
No comments:
Post a Comment