Denizens of downtown Bay City will soon have a new place for all of their personal styling needs.
Washington Avenue Salon is celebrating its grand opening on Sunday, Nov. 18. From 1 to 5 p.m., the salon will open its doors to the public, offering finger foods and drinks, a gift basket raffle, and other giveaways.
The salon will assume regular business hours the following day.
Washington Avenue Salon is the self-realized dream of Jessica Dawe. Having been in the hair business since 2012, Dawe says owning her own salon has always been the goal.
"I’ve always wanted my own salon where I can have my own hours, do my own thing, not have to ask for permission," she says.
Dawe has so far hired three employees for the salon, where they’ll be offering hair cutting, styling, and dying services, as well as waxes and manicures. Dawe herself says she loves doing hair colorings most. Another employee will be on hand during the weekends, doing eyebrows.
As business goes, Dawe says she’s sure additional services will be added.
There will also be a focus on keeping prices reasonable.
"I want everyone to be able to afford to get their hair done," Dawe says.
The Dawes, Jessica, her husband David, and their five children, are frequent visitors downtown, attending any number of the events the city offers, and especially in the summer. It was on one of those trips that Jessica spotted a for rent sign in the storefront of a building just blocks from the Saginaw River.
She called the number and, as she says, bugged the landlord until he let her have the place.
"I’ve always loved Bay City," Dawe says.
Washington Avenue Salon is located at 1017 Washington Ave. in downtown Bay City.
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