Tucked neatly and unexpectedly in the heart of the
Moores Park Neighborhood in South Lansing is a 1,200 square-foot salon, Swank, offering everything from a haircut and highlight, to manicures.
At 711 West Barnes Avenue in Lansing, Swank is next door to the Moores Park Neighborhood Community Gardens.
“I’m the heirloom tomato guy,” laughs Brian Kohls, co-owner of Swank. Kohls lives in the
Moores Park neighborhood and owns the business with his partner, Jeremy James.
“I had owned salons in the past and really had no intentions of doing it again,” says Kohls. “But we lived in the neighborhood, and Jeremy bugged me to look at this building for a couple of months until he finally wore me down. It looked like a good project.”
After two years of solid renovations and bringing the two-story building up to code, the salon and the two apartments above it were finally open.
Aside from Kohls loyal clientele who have followed him over his 25 years as a stylist, Swank also sees many of the Moore's Park residents “popping in” for services.
“It’s such a romantic idea, to be able walk from your home to get a manicure or a haircut . . . so I’m glad Swank is able to provide that.”
Source: Brian, Swank Salon
Writer: Suban Nur Cooley
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie
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