HANOVER TWP. — A new hair and beauty salon celebrated its opening with an official launch May 19.
BeaUnique Salon LLC, on Oxford Street, is run by 21-year-old Haley Hughes.
Hughes, a native of Wilkes-Barre, graduated from GAR and then Empire Beauty Salon, in Moosic.
“I graduated (beauty school) within 10 months,” Hughes said. She graduated with a cosmetology degree, allowing her to do hair, skin and nails.
The salon has two each of hair, manicure and pedicure chairs — one for Hughes, one for her employee, Jordan Woyanio.
Woyanio knew she wanted to work for Hughes.
“As soon as I met her, we instantly got along,” Wyoanio said.
Hughes and Woyanio met when they worked at Lighten Up, a now-defunct salon in Nanticoke.
Hughes was motivated to open a salon.
“I knew I had to do it,” she said. “It was perfect timing.”
It took roughly six months to renovate the salon. Her father, retired Wilkes-Barre firefighter Chris Hughes, helped with the renovations. The salon’s decor is wood, giving it a “homey” feel.
“He built everything,” Hughes said, praising her father.
Having the salon in Hanover Township provides “a happy medium” for her clients. She admitted she was afraid that if she stayed in Nanticoke, she wouldn’t attract a Wilkes-Barre base and if she “went too far into Wilkes-Barre,” she would lose her Nanticoke clients.
Hughes was grateful for community and family support during the opening and while renovating the salon. During the opening, Hughes’ aunt, Essie Harrison, gave her handcrafted nail files, which will be given out to customers until they’re gone.
“My family, friends and boyfriend have all be so supportive,” she said.
Eventually, Hughes hopes to forgo the renter status and eventually expand to create a salon and day spa in the Desiderio Professional Complex, where the salon currently is.
They’re open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Currently the wait times aren’t long to make an appointment, but Hughes said “it may change.”