Men find spa treatment useful

Sandal season is in full swing. All across the Inland Northwest, open-toed shoes are the footwear of choice.

But what’s a guy to do when his female acquaintances recoil in horror at the sight of his gnarly-looking toes? If your spouse makes you wear socks to bed even during the summer, it’s probably time to pay attention to your feet.

When women want a pedicure, they have an abundant selection of nail salons and spas. However, men have fewer options. The feminine atmosphere of many spas is just too off-putting for some fellows.

That’s why LeeAnn Ochsner opened The Men’s Room at Moxie Salon and Spa four years ago.

At Moxie’s downtown location near the Interstate 90 overpass on West Fifth Avenue, a big white sign with the familiar men’s room silhouette points the way to the entrance on the lower level.

Posters of Harleys and Corvettes adorn the deep red and saffron walls.

In addition to pedicures, The Men’s Room offers manicures, haircuts, hot shaves and waxing.

Yes, men get waxed, too. “Guys can be self-conscious about their back hair,” said Ochsner.

Yolanda Anderson agreed and said of back waxing, “During the summer, it’s very popular.”

Anderson, who has worked at the shop since its opening, said men often don’t know what to expect when they come in for a pedicure. “They think we’re just going to cut their toenails. I tell them, ‘Oh no, we’re going to do a lot more than that.’ “

Guys who believe that only “girly” men avail themselves of spa amenities may be surprised. According to Anderson, The Men’s Room was the official barbershop of the Spokane Shock arenafootball2 team in 2006. You don’t get more manly than that.

“It was fun getting to know the guys,” she said. “Some of the players tried the manicures and pedicures.”

However, she said, her most frequent manicure customers tend to be lawyers or sales representatives who use their hands a lot.

Regular customer John Guarisco showed up for a pedicure. “I’ve got awesome-looking feet,” he said.

“Guys these days don’t like to have big ‘old man’ toenails,” he said in attempting to explain the rise in popularity of men’s pedicures.

Guarisco took off his shoes and socks and settled into a comfortable black leather chair. Anderson placed his feet in a bubbling tub of warm water.

“I’m in sales. Appearance is pretty important,” he said.

His relaxation was interrupted when two co-workers dropped by to pick up some files.

It appeared they mistakenly had thought he was getting only a haircut. “Oh my God!” they yelled in unison as they spotted their friend with his pants rolled up to his knees while Anderson buffed away the calluses on his heels.

When the pointing and laughing had abated, Guarisco’s co-worker, Gabe Thompson, wistfully admitted, “I’ve always wanted to do this.”

He took in the Spokane Shock posters and old-fashioned barber chair and said, “I’d get a pedicure and a hot shave here,” he said. “But I’m not going to do it when some other dude’s watching.”

Guarisco seemed unfazed by the teasing as he enjoyed a soothing foot massage.

He says taking care of his feet doesn’t make him less masculine any more than wearing a pink tie does. “Only three guys in the world can pull off the pink tie,” he said. “Donald Trump, Regis Philbin and me.”

When Anderson had finished her ministrations, she offered to let her client’s co-workers touch his baby-soft feet. Thompson was impressed.

But Guarisco had more to show them. “Watch this,” he said. “Whoosh!”

His socks slid on effortlessly.

“Wow! No drag,” said Thompson.

Guarisco departed to face his day and close some sales, leaving The Men’s Room with an easy grin and very smooth feet.