Hair salon hosts grand opening, Youngstown city leaders discuss ARP success
Love and Beauty Hair Salon, located at 2723 Hillman Street in Youngstown, held its grand opening on Sunday afternoon, marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting and light refreshments for guests.
Several Youngstown city leaders attended the ceremony, commenting on the successful opening of the business and its connection to American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds.
"I bought this building two years ago today, so I just wanted to have everybody out for my two-year [and] let everybody be able to see what is going on here and welcome everyone to my salon," said Tasha Hicks, owner of Love and Beauty Salon.
The salon offers a variety of services, including:
- Braiding
- Sew-ins
- Silk presses
- Relaxes
- Haircuts
- Much more
Hicks told 21 News that she had been working in the Youngstown area for some time now, but wanted her own space to operate.
"Moving from one salon now to the next, this is just a new beginning for me. Something that I've always wanted to do is to own something, be able to have something generational for my children," said Hicks.
City leaders noted how Hicks' new business ties into other success stories as a result of ARP funding that the city received in 2020.
"The administration, along with Youngstown City Council, put in legislation a while back through ARP funds to be able to give a few million dollars to Valley Partners for a revolving business fund," said 1st Ward Councilman Julius Oliver of the Youngstown City Council.
The aim of the Youngstown City Revolving Loan Fund (YCRLF) Program is to have money available to help small businesses get established.
Additionally, a façade fund was created to help businesses work on their parking lots, their signage and their building front.
Valley Economic Development Partners is a private nonprofit that aims to support the "creation and expansion of small businesses and local jobs" in the Mahoning Valley area, according to its website.
"This is the perfect example of a success story of ARP dollars in action... I'm really pleased to see yet another business take advantage of our kind of programming and I hope to see a whole lot more," said Anita Davis, President of the Youngstown City Council.
Youngstown Mayor Derrick McDowell was also present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, commenting on the revitalization of the 6th Ward corridor on Youngstown's south side.
"This is one of the most dilapidated corridors over the last few decades, and we're seeing it battle back now. We're seeing folks invest in a community that we once thought would never be revived, and so I'm thankful for small business owners like this who are going to really start showing this community that there is a new day, there is a new age, we are open to do business in the City of Youngstown," said McDowell.
"Love and Beauty is from my heart, from me. The love that I put in is the beauty that you're going to get out," said Hicks.
The salon is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday.
