Photography courtesy of Kimberly Haley-Coleman
Some people like back or foot massages. Others love a good tickle.
White Rock neighbor Kimberly Haley-Coleman is bringing a much-needed dose of laughter to the neighborhood with her new business The Tickle Bar. The business at 6500 E. Mockingbird Lane provides a sensory experience designed to produce relaxing tingling sensations.
Opening a tickle bar may seem laughable, but Haley-Coleman is one of a few brave enough to try. The world’s first tickle bar opened in Spain in 2011, and now, Haley-Coleman wants to introduce the calming benefits of tickle therapy to Dallas.
“I don’t know anyone else who’s doing this,” Haley-Coleman said. “It’s something new and different — a totally new concept.”
Coleman developed The Tickle Bar as a way to generate income and continue to employ people in her nonprofit, Globe Aware. The organization led volunteer vacations in 26 countries for nearly two decades until the coronavirus brought international travel to a halt in March.
“We’ve tried to put ourselves in a place to survive another year or two without real revenue,” Haley-Coleman said. “I haven’t been getting foot massages or my nails done, but I drove around and saw none of them had gone out of business. I said, ‘I’m just going to do it.’ We need something that’s joyful. People miss the human touch.”
Guests can choose from two basic services: hair play or back tickle. The 25- or 50-minute sessions incorporate a variety of shiver-inducing strokes to release tension from the body using fingers, feather dusters, makeup brushes and more. If you’re especially ticklish, try the basic scratch for relaxation with a firmer touch.
Treatments will take place under private Moroccan tents. Guests must have their temperature taken at reception, wash their hands and wear a mask for the duration of their visit. All equipment will be sanitized with UV light sanitation boxes after each session.
Introductory pricing starts at $39.99 with reduced rates available through memberships and packages. Profits will be donated to Globe Aware, so you can feel good on multiple levels.
An outdoor, socially distanced grand opening will take place at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Haley-Coleman hopes to tickle guests pink with pink iced cookies, pink Champagne, pink feather boas and shirtless men wearing big feathered wings — that are probably pink. The salon will open for appointments at noon Dec. 7.
“We want to keep a light, fun, mischievous sort of feel to the whole endeavor,” Haley-Coleman said. “Once they do it, I think they’ll be back.”
