A barber by trade, Michael Norado opened a barbershop in north Lakeland in 2019 with his wife. The business did well, leading Norado to open a smoke shop in the same plaza. However, the pandemic forced him to shut down. Instead of giving up, Norado and his wife decided to survey the area and come up with new ideas to bring something fresh and new to Lakeland.
In 2021, Norado opened Relax Room, a zero-gravity massage chair lounge that is one of the first in the nation. The massage chairs offer a unique experience that a human masseuse cannot replicate. The space is designed to help people relax with music and lighting. Next to Relax Room is an ice cream shop that opened two months ago, offering visitors a variety of options for relaxation and enjoyment all in one area.
Norado and his wife have plans to open their fifth business in the plaza, which will be a restaurant. They have taken on the challenge of starting each business without any investors or financial advisers, relying on their own efforts, YouTube tutorials, and Pinterest for guidance. Despite the challenges they faced during the pandemic, Norado and his wife continue to push forward, focusing on bringing new and exciting experiences to the Lakeland community.
After an ABC Action News report on the Townhomes of Wexford community, more than a dozen homeowners reached out with concerns about the HOA overstepping its boundaries. Following the report, Rochelle Alleyne spoke with the HOA president and an attorney to address these issues raised by homeowners. It seems that the news report brought attention to problems within the community that needed to be addressed, and residents are now hopeful for positive changes as a result of the increased awareness.