HOULTON, Maine — While many hair salons have come and gone in the Shiretown over the years, one particular establishment has stood the test of time.
Modern Beauty Salon, located on 48 Main St. in downtown Houlton, celebrated its grand re-opening Saturday. The salon features all new floors, walls and a redesigned layout to give the business a warmer feel.
Opened by Helen Hatfield in 1979, Modern Beauty Salon has gone through a couple of transformations over the years. Originally, the salon was located in what is now referred to as the “back room” of the current establishment, but expanded to the corner a few years later.
Linda Pilsbury owned the salon of 21 years before retiring at the end of 2016. Many of those who own parlors in the Shiretown can trace their roots to Modern Beauty Salon, including Pilsbury. In May of 2014, the salon celebrated its 35th anniversary.
The salon has undergone a major transformation with a recently renovated salon area, as well as the additions of an eyebrow room, spa room for manicures and pedicures and massage therapy room, featuring Diana Mains, a licensed massage therapist from Mars Hill.
Michelle Gendron and John Gonsalves are the new owners of the salon. The couple actually purchased the entire building, which also includes another iconic downtown business — Sadie’s Bakery.
Janet McKay Brewer, a long-tenured hair stylist for Modern Beauty, is managing the salon for the couple. Working as stylists at the salon along with Brewer are Allison Baber, Destiny Tuttle, Liza St. Pierre Leavitt and Tara Gilpatrick.
“We are excited about this new remodeling,” Brewer said. “Modern Beauty has been a staple of the downtown for many years and this new salon updates many features to better the customer’s experience.”
The salon also sells a number of exclusive hair care products. For more information on Modern Beauty Salon, call 532-2001.
(Joseph Cyr)
