New hair salon coming to downtown Richmond
Mickey Shuey
mshuey@gannett.com
The former Black-Eyed Susan consignment shop space in downtown Richmond soon will become a salon, operated in conjunction with the boutique located next door.
EmbellishU, a full-service hair salon, is expected to open the weekend of the Meltdown festival, Jan. 28-29, right next to Embellish, one of the downtown area's several women's boutique shops. Construction on the salon is nearly finished, and it features a manicure area, salon-style seating and a lounge.
Salon owner Lori Dickerson said she is hopeful the partnership between her shop and Embellish will bring in new customers for both businesses.
"There's a lot of downtime when you're getting your hair done, so this (partnership) gives my clients an opportunity to go shop while they're waiting," she said. "It also allows them to interact with new people and build up new friendships."
Although there's no formal contract in place between the two businesses, other than a lease agreement for Dickerson's use of the space, she said she has worked closely with Embellish owner Kim Hoppe to ensure the two businesses would be well-suited to coexist.
"It was really a (no-brainer) decision ... it just made sense," Dickerson said. "I think this is going to be great for the downtown area and bring in a lot of new faces."
Dickerson's business ultimately could employ up to four or five people and will offer haircuts and other hair treatments, starting at around $30. EmbellishU also will offer hair-care products, manicures and other services. Many of the retail products will be Moroccan Oil brand.
"I think this could be a one-stop shop for a lot of visitors to the downtown area," she said. "Between my line of hair-care products and the great retail offerings in (Embellish), we are going to make a great team."
Set up in what she calls the Embellish building, 14 S. Ninth St., Dickerson's salon is her first venture in opening a business of her own, although she has several years of experience in hair care.
Dickerson said has been in beauty care for the past decade, including several years working at the Les Cheveux salon on the east side of the city.
"I think I'll be able to build my client base from that experience ... I've gotten to know a lot of people in the area, as well as others who have come to (Les Cheveux) from over in Ohio, and I think opening this location in the downtown will allow many of the clients who follow me to experience a side of Richmond they haven't seen before."
She said it's important that businesses thrive in the downtown area for that part of the city to grow.
"I really want my business ... really, all of our businesses ... to be part of Richmond's success story," Dickerson said. "I'm looking forward to working with the other businesses down here to continue the vibrant building of the downtown environment."
Hoppe said she's looking forward to working with Dickerson on the joint venture, although she noted both businesses will operate completely independent of one another.
"This is an exciting opportunity for both of us, and it came about at a great time," she said. "We will work together, where we can, certainly, and I'm ecstatic to have the chance to welcome even more people to the Embellish building."
To learn more about the salon, which will have a grand-opening event at 4 p.m. Jan., go to facebook.com/EmbellishUHairSalon.
To reach Palladium-Item business reporter Mickey Shuey, call (765) 973-4472. You can follow him on Twitter: @MickeyShueyPI and at facebook.com/mickeyshuey.