Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Eight dollar men’s haircuts, Princess Party packages for girls’ birthdays, 25 percent off every fifth hair coloring and every tenth haircut free — Nikki Bleanger, owner of Nikki’s Hair Loft on Bennett drive in Caribou, is a community-minded stylist who’s ready to use her talents to make Caribou a beautiful place.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Nikki’s Hair Loft included executive director of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce Wendy Landes, owner of Nikki’s Hair Loft and 5-year cosmetologist Nikki Belanger and 13-year cosmetologist Christa Mattoon.
There are many unique facets of Nikki’s Hair Loft that can make for an enjoyable hair-cutting experience — the relaxing atmosphere, the free snacks and beverages and the tremendous focus on customer service. Belanger has made sure that getting your hair cut at the Loft will lead to positive experience for both you and the community as she has pledged her support toward donating to community organizations at the end of each year and is looking to hopefully offer wigs for cancer patients. Belanger is also hoping to positively impact national movements as well, such as breast cancer awareness in particular.
“I’d like to put something toward the Children’s museum too,” she said.
There are a few items offered at Nikki’s Hair Loft that are very unique to Belanger’s business, but none so much as the Princess Party package; many girls and young women enjoy occasional pampering like manicures, so Belanger has decided to offer the Princess Party package. With the option of holding a party at the salon or having Belanger visit a party at an alternative location, each partygoer can feel like a princess after having their very own manicure or other elected service.
Because the Loft offers princess parties is no reason for men to shy away. Belanger has listened to the suggestions of her strong male customer base and, as a vendor of Redken products, carries a variety of men’s hair care products that don’t smell like lilac and vanilla.
Not only can men find the hair products that they’re looking for at Nikki’s Hair Loft, “we offer good men’s cuts for eight dollars and the tenth one’s free,” Belanger explained, and the-tenth-one’s-free clause is applicable to women’s and children’s cuts as well. She is also offering a beneficial referral program, where a customer can receive 10 percent off of their service by referring three other customers to the Loft.
Though Belanger is very proactive about community involvement and customer service — arguably crucial characteristics of a business owner — she had no idea that she would one day own her own business when she entered into cosmetology. Instead, she found herself in a situation where the pieces all came together though hard work and creativity. While Nikki’s Hair Loft is Belanger’s business, she won’t be working alone at the Loft. Currently, she is joined by independent cosmetologist Christa Mattoon who brings 13 years’ of experience to the Loft. Belanger anticipates a dedicated manicurist to join the stylists within a few weeks.
While Belanger and Nikki’s Hair Loft are keeping plenty busy while they await the arrival of the Loft’s manicurist, Executive Director of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce Wendy Landes no longer has to await a business to settle into the quaint building near the corner of Bennett Drive and High Street.
Landes expressed that she is pleased to see a new business take root in Caribou and wishes Belanger and Nikki’s Hair Loft well.
Having moved from Caribou when she was young, Belanger spent summers in The County and moved back to Caribou because of how much she enjoys the community.
“I like the city to visit, but I like to live here,” she said.
