Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
NOW OPEN — Beauty & Beyond, a full service salon, has opened at 105 Bangor St. in Houlton. The staff at B&B is, left to right, seated, Shannon Beaulieu, hair stylist; and Julie Hogan, hair stylist and aesthetician; back, Fitzpatrick, owner; Casey Malone, hair stylist and Connie Rackliff, nail technician.
Beauty & Beyond to hold grand opening Friday
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — A new full service salon has made its opening on the Houlton business horizon. Beauty & Beyond, 105 Bangor Street, is owned and operated by Stacy Fitzpatrick.
“This place came up for sale and it was so close to my husband’s shop that we wanted to buy it,” she said. Fitzpatrick’s husband, Dean, owns DC Auto. “We bought it, unsure what we were going to do with it. It was in rough, rough shape, but it was too good of a house to tear down.”
After purchasing the property, Fitzpatrick’s sister-in-law, Julie Hogan, along with Connie Rackliff proposed an idea of a beauty salon. Rackliff was working with Hogan in Hodgdon. Fitzpatrick’s first thought was not another salon. But, after thinking it through, Fitzpatrick saw a niche the salon could fill.
“I did feel like there was a market that was not being targeted,” explained Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick wanted to make her salon a convenience for anyone, including those who work or need to have their needs met on a weekend.
“Between all the people here, if you want to come in, someone will help you,” said Fitzpatrick.
Independent contractors under B&B’s roof are Rackliff, Hogan, Shannon Beaulieu and Casey Malone. Rackliff does manicures, pedicures, artificial nails to veneer polishes, while Malone and Beaulieu are both hair stylists. Hogan, not only is a hair stylist, but she is an aesthetician. She does complete facials and electrolysis. Beaulieu also specializes in hair extensions.
“The young girls are having a lot of fun with those,” Fitzpatrick said. “Instead of permanently dying hair, an extension can be added with color.”
The stylists also love special occasions such as weddings or proms. Beaulieu “loves bridal updos,” said Fitzpatrick. “She loves big, fancy hair.”
Along with all of those services, each stylists offers waxing and Fitzpatrick operates the tanning beds.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
COMFORT — Heather McGuire sits comfortably in a massage chair, while Connie Rackliff of Beauty and Beyond gives her a foot massage. Rackliff is accepting new customers at Beauty and Beyond on 105 Bangor St. Houlton.
“I wanted to make a salon where everyone who walked in would feel comfortable,” Fitzpatrick noted.
B&B is an open floor space on the ground level, with all four stylists and nail technician in one room. The room allows plenty of light and features warm colors throughout. The tanning beds are located upstairs, as well as Hogan’s facial/electrolysis room for more privacy.
“I didn’t want a loud, noisy place, but a comfortable, cozy place,” added Fitzpatrick. “We just wanted a nice, warm atmosphere.”
B&B offers many of the same products as other salons, with Beaulieu bringing in a few new ones and Fitzpatrick offering a wide variety of tanning lotions.
B&B opened on August 18 and will hold its grand opening on Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a table of fall foods available such as soups, pumpkin breads, molasses and other tastes of autumn. Drawings will be held every half hour for free services offered at the salon.
“Our grand prize is a $200 spa package, which combines everything that we do to one person,” said Fitzpatrick.
B&B stylists are continuing their services to their already existing customers, but want to extend their services to new customers.
“They have been surprised by the number of walk-ins we’ve had,” added Fitzpatrick. “Business has been good.”
A short-term goal at this time for Fitzpatrick is getting another hairdresser to fill the last booth at her shop, but her long-term aim is to make the salon what she envisioned it to be.
“It’s an image of a warm, welcoming professional place,” she said.
With each stylist an independent contractor, they can set their own hours, as well as their own prices.
“Although I missed peak tanning season when we opened,” said Fitzpatrick, “I am willing to be open at 7 a.m. for those early morning people who want to tan to 8 p.m.”
Right now, the stylists are setting hours based on clientele.
“We are willing to be here long hours to accommodate others,” added Fitzpatrick.
B&B offers complimentary coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The salon is also fully handicapped accessible. B&B can be reached by calling 521-0898; e-mail beautyandbeyond105 @gmail.com or like them on Facebook for the latest specials the girls are running.
