CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Footy Rooty, at 7855 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights across from Lowe’s home improvement center is now open in the location of the former Happy Day Spa, the first Sacramento-area franchise location for the McAllen, Texas-based company which is now entering the California massage and spa market.

The former Happy Day Spa, acquired by Footy Rooty Foot Care and Spa, continues to honor all its Happy Day Spa tickets through July 30^th for redemption. New clients are encouraged to use their Happy Day Spa tickets for the first six months of operation under the Footy Rooty Foot Care & Spa brand, according to a flyer prominently posted at the store’s reception desk.

Citrus Heights husband and wife co-managers, Jian and Zining Tang referred an interview request to Footy Rooty’s Texas corporate office where company president Bill Lieu responded.

“We were looking to open in the greater Sacramento region, and this location in Citrus Heights was ideal,” Lieu said. The 2,500+ square foot facility completed a $500K physical refresh. Five certified massage specialists were hired for the Citrus Heights facility.

Footy Rooty, founded in 2011, is welcoming new customers with a variety of promotional specials, with free child-care, snacks, and drinks during massage sessions. Services include foot detox, foot herbal steam, reflexology, foot skin care, Swedish and Eastern massage.

“In Chinese medicine, the foot is most often referred to as the second heart of the body,” he said. “There’s the expression ‘foot to human, root to tree,’” and that’s where our business name comes from.”

Footy Rooty has 14 locations in Texas. Another spa will open in San Jose, Calif. later this year.

Lieu considers his company a “pioneer in its specific focus on massage of the foot, rather than just offering its customers a general massage of the body.” In his opinion, “a quality, thorough therapeutic foot massage, including reflexology treatment could make a large impact on the lives of everyone.”

He became convinced that reflexology should be offered to everyone possible, and at an affordable price. Lieu said Footy Rooty requires all massage staff to become fully certified and offers training and assistance required licensing.

“My goal is to make the cost of training tuition-free, so it provides an incentive for all to pursue the growing profession, including newly-arriving immigrants and first-time workers.”

Footy Rooty’s lobby price chart offers its customers foot and body massages from a simplified menu of choices. All full prices are generally reduced with V.I. Feet membership, with the introductory 30-minute foot massage discounted from $30 to $19.99.

“We believe that the foot is one of the most important parts of the body because, like a root to the plant, it requires attention and care,” Lieu said. “Our feet bear our weight each day and are integral to our overall health and well-being. Increasingly people are recognizing this and seeking a way to pamper their feet.”

“The health and well-being of our customers is our top priority,” Lieu said. Footy Rooty massage staff follow state cleanliness protocols with frequent hand washing, masks, gloves and face shields being used by all personnel.

“All individual massage room sessions are done in accordance with a room card issued by the front desk to ensure the used room has sufficient disinfection time and air circulation time,” he said.

New customers can purchase a yearly V.I. Feet membership with a $24 donation to the Make A Wish Foundation to receive monthly specials and earn reward points.

Footy Rooty offers its customers six massage options. Two choices of foot massages and two different full body massage (clothing off) sessions for the upper body and back in either Swedish or Eastern styles are offered.

New customers should visit footyrooty.com or the local Citrus Heights Facebook page to plan their spa experience. Information on pricing, spa etiquette and general questions are promptly answered. A cell phone application allowing customers to directly book appointments or message their preferred massage therapist should be launched soon, Lieu said.

Footy Rooty in Citrus Heights is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Call 916-723-7778 to determine a wait time before your tired tootsies walk in.