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Designers Salon and Spa is enjoying a surge of business in its new location in Chisago City and the staff hopes they will continue to attract even more new customers.

The establishment is not new to the Chisago Lakes area; it was previously located in a much smaller building on Hwy. 8 in Lindstrom.

Owner Michelle had contemplated moving the salon for about a year before hearing that space was opening in the new Brinks Plaza building on Hwy. 8 in Chisago City.

The space fit with what she was looking for and Designers Salon and Spa moved into its new location in August.

Michelle worked closely with a designer to come up with a floor plan with the customer in mind. The salon includes six stylist stations, a massage and facial room, a pedicure room and stations for manicures and makeup consultation.

The interior is bright and open, thanks to two walls of windows and an expansive ceiling. “I didn’t want any hallways, I wanted it to be open and light,” Michelle said.

Alyssa Mack manages the full service Aveda concept salon. Michelle said Alyssa has helped organize the salon, particularly internally. “We have developed into a team-based salon,” she said. For customers, the team-based approach means that they will receive the same personalized service whether they come back to the same stylist each time or not.

Designers Salon and Spa offers everything from basic cuts and coloring to a full day of pampering complete with hot stone therapy, back facials, massage, body wraps and manicures and pedicures.

Michelle said they have tried to raise the bar and are achieving a five-star salon quality at the salon. “Our employees have experience and training at the top level in the industry,” she said.

It’s also nice that many of the staff members live in the area and are known by their customers, she added.

Designers Salon and Spa is also trying to reach out to other area businesses by distributing business-to-business cards.

The cards give other business owners in the area a 10 percent discount on products and services at the salon. “It’s a way to honor local business people,” Michelle said.

She is also working on getting involved with some sort of discount program through Chisago Lakes High School to recognize exceptional student achievement.

The salon will soon be offering men’s night out on the first Monday of every month. On those days, men are invited to stop in without an appointment between 4 and 9 p.m.

On Friday, Oct. 8 the salon will host a grand reopening from 4 to 7 p.m. Customers will receive makeovers and consultations, Caribbean therapy body treatments and Aveda products, offsetting the $25 admission cost. The first 50 customers will receive an additional free product and all participants are entered into a drawing for a $100 Aveda gift basket.

Michelle said she has heard many positive comments from customers. “They’re glad they can have a salon and spa experience without having to drive to the cities,” she said. “We go above and beyond to do the little finishing touches to make it perfect.”

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