Troy Times
(MI)
BETH GARCIA;
C & G Staff Writer
Published:
September 6, 2007
ROYAL OAK - The iron and steel framework at 409 S. Center St. will
soon become a hub for beauty and spa services when the Douglas J Aveda
Institute comes to town in December. The East Lansing-based beauty institute,
salon and day spa has planned to build its newest school in Royal Oak for
years, according to Andrea Liebaert, vice president of marketing for Douglas J.
"It's a really great market for us," Liebaert said.
"We have a lot of students at our East Lansing location who are actually
coming from the metro Detroit and Royal Oak area. We knew this would be a great
place to bring our next institute."
The company currently has locations in Okemos, East Lansing, Ann
Arbor and Grand Rapids, and hopes to add Royal Oak to its list very soon. The
cosmetology school offers students not only an education in hair and salon
services, but also in esthiology. The Royal Oak school is expected to offer
both part-time and full-time programs at 10 months and 14 months, respectively.
In addition to offering education, Douglas J will also allow the
public to receive spa and salon services from its students. Under the eye of
hair care professionals, senior students at the institute will perform cuts,
colors, nail services and spa treatments at reduced rates.
"All these services are highquality and overseen by our
instructors," Liebaert said. "It's a great partnership to allow men
and women to get cuts and treatments at very stress-free rates."
The salon, spa and institute is expected to take up 15,000 square
feet on the second floor of the 38,000-square-foot, two-story development. The
409 S. Center St. development - located just off Main Street - added 12,000
square feet to an existing structure by building over a previously vacant lot
and parking space on Center Street.
According to real estate representative Mark Lisenby of Eyde
Company, Douglas J will also occupy nearly 3,000 square feet of the development's
first floor with a reception area - leaving 12,000 square feet open for
potential retail leasing.
"At this point we have a couple different restaurants and
retailers looking at the open space, but we haven't settled any other leases as
of yet," Lisenby said. "We haven't yet narrowed the search down to
any specific type of retailer or business. We are just looking for businesses
that complement the area."
The Eyde Co., an East Lansingbased real estate firm, is handling
the development's leasing agreements and has previously worked on other Douglas
J locations. Lisenby estimates Royal Oak will be one of cosmetology business's
busiest institutes.
"There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes for
some time, but the building is finally starting to get there. Douglas J really
knows how to build a great building, and it should be one of the nicest
developments in Royal Oak," Lisenby said.
The Douglas J Aveda Institute is already taking applications for
December classes at the new Royal Oak Campus. Business representatives expect
that the salon will cater to at least 100 clients per day soon after opening.
For more on Douglas J, visit douglasj.com.
Caption:The Douglas J Aveda Institute is constructing its latest
location at 409 S. Center St. in downtown Royal Oak. The beauty school, salon
and day spa is expected to open in December following development.The two-story
building will house Douglas J, along with 12,000 square feet of retail,
restaurant or business space.
Photo by Patricia O'Blenes