VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Virginia Beach entrepreneur's livelihood halted suddenly when a fire Monday morning on Holland Road destroyed the businesses next door and condemned hers.
Though the interior of Rahsha Batiste’s business Unique Skin & Beauty Bar looks unscathed, smoke damage and electrical concerns have still forced her to shut down.
She said when she arrived at her day spa and esthetics clinic on Monday, her heart sank
Batiste told 13News Now, “I called the owner, told him, ‘the building’s on fire, you need to get here,’ and hung up.” She added, that as soon as she arrived, she worried about the future of her business.
“I put in my heart, sweat, tears, money, love, care into this facility for five months, and I haven’t even enjoyed it for six full months.”
Batiste says she’s been in the esthetics business for eight years, but she moved into the Holland Road space last August. She finished renovations, which she said she spent about $60,000 on, in December.
“It’s very emotional because when you spend a lot of money on something, you want to enjoy the fruit of your labor, and to do it for just a short time, it hurts,” Batiste explained.
Visually, it’s hard to tell Batiste’s business suffered damage. She didn’t lose any equipment in the fire, which destroyed the businesses next door. However, a strong smoke odor covers the whole property, and her suite was condemned by the city. She says, though her equipment survived, still needs the community’s help.
“We don’t see people by phone, I have to see people in person,” she said. “It’s like I’m racing against the clock. I need to find another commercial property quickly.”
In addition to her five staffers, Batiste also rents space to other beauty technicians. She says she feels an obligation to find a new space for them as well.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the business owner in her relocation efforts. It’s available here.