Capture the Moments Selfie Room in Auburn offers photo settings from Barbie to Celtics
AUBURN – When Carmen Rodriguez took to social media looking for a business idea late last year, it didn’t take her long to realize that the concept for a venture was right in front of her.
“I saw a lot of people talking about ‘selfie rooms, selfie rooms,’” said Rodriguez. “They got them in New York, they got them in Florida.
“I thought, ‘Hmm, that would be a good idea for the Worcester community over here.’"
After a couple of months of painting, building and lots of creative thinking, Rodriguez and her husband, Juan Rodriguez Sr., opened the doors Feb. 6 to their own selfie room in a leased space on the second floor of a building at 65 Southbridge St.
They called it Capture the Moments Selfie Room.
The concept is simple – the Rodriguezes have set up more than 15 backgrounds with six ring lights for people to rent the room to snap photos of themselves in different dimensions.
On a quick stroll through the room, which is no bigger than a small gallery, one could find themselves jumping through space and time from a Barbie-universe room to being seemingly chased by Pac-Man to a Celtics-crazed dimension where you, too, can dunk a basketball.
“I always wanted to open something for young people,” said Carmen. “I used to get in trouble a lot often because I didn’t know where to go and what to do.
"Something like this could get the kids off the streets, come hang out here and take selfies with their friends.”
The Rodriguezes, who live in Dudley but lived in Worcester during their younger years, also own other businesses in the area.
The two also own Gossip Girls Nail Salon & Spa in Worcester, while Rodriguez Sr. owns Headliners Braids & Dreads on Grafton Street with his son, Juan Rodriguez Jr.
Right downstairs from the selfie room, Rodriguez Sr. also owns with his son Ladies of Headliners and the Headliners Lash Room.
Helping hand to youth
Seeing how difficult life can be for younger people throughout the years growing up in Worcester, the Rodriguezes said they always think of giving a helping hand to the younger generations.
Since opening Headliners in 2017, Rodriguez Sr. and his son offer back-to-school haircuts for free, while the nail salon has offered free nail and spa services to young girls in preparation for prom nights.
“We’re always happy doing it just to do it,” said Rodriguez Sr.
The Rodriguezes plan to change the section concepts at their selfie room every three months, with a special corner reserved for the month’s theme.
Tuesday, the corner was set up with a Valentine’s Day chair surrounded by heart-shaped balloons.
Next, the Rodriguezes are getting to work to possibly set up for St. Patrick’s Day.
"I wish we could set this up in Worcester, where people could make use of it the most,” said Carmen. “Maybe that's also what’s next.”
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Carmen and Juan Rodriguez Sr. open Capture the Moments Selfie Room
