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Huntington School of Beauty Culture relocating to bigger site
Student Kayla Cyrus cuts and styles Helen Stanley's hair at the Huntington School of Beauty Culture Wednesday, April 2, 2008.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- Being cramped in a tight space is one thing. Being cramped in a room where you're giving perms is something completely different
That's one reason cosmetology student Amanda Creech is excited about the Huntington School of Beauty Culture relocating to a bigger site. Other reasons to be excited are new equipment and updated furnishings, said Catherine Belvin, owner of the beauty school.
"We talk about it every day -- getting out of here and getting a fresh, new everything," Belvin said.
The school is moving next month from its spot near the 29th Street exit of Interstate 64 to a spot about a mile down U.S. 60, in the Kmart Plaza. The move takes place at the end of May to make room for more medical offices as part of the new East Hills Professional Center.
The move has been almost a year in coming, but it's a welcome change, Belvin said.
The school has been at its current location since 1980. It moved from 8th Street downtown to U.S. 60 at that time because it was a bustling Hills shopping plaza. But activity on the hill slowed over the years.
Last summer, developer Bob Childers bought out businesses there -- including Grandview Outlet discount stores -- to build $22 million in professional offices. East Hills Professional Center will be a total of 186,000 square feet over 12 acres and is expected to be completed in late 2009.
The beauty school searched around until it found the spot near Kmart, which will increase its size from 8,500 square feet to 11,000 square feet. And its benefits go beyond sheer size.
Not only are some of the rooms currently cramped, but they're sectioned off in a way that's inconvenient, Belvin said. The office is separate from the main clinic, which is separate from the freshmen classes, which are separate from the theory classes.
More accessibility will be better for the students and the clientele, she said. She also ordered $150,000 in renovations and new equipment at the new site, Belvin said.
"We're really excited," said Creech, who is in her fourth week of cosmetology school. "We have a really small room in there. We'll have a lot more room to work and endless possibilities in learning -- and a lot more room to breathe, especially when you're doing a perm."
The beauty school teaches a 60-week course in cosmetology, a 10-week course in manicuring and a 20-week course in aesthetics or skin care. It's an accredited institution for students who qualify, and it has open clinic hours for the public from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Haircuts start at $6, color starts at $20, facials are $15, and manicures are $20.
Some clients are new, and some have been going since Belvin was in school there years ago.
"We have dedicated clients who have always been faithful to the school," she said. The phone number for the school will remain the same, she pointed out.
Belvin purchased the beauty school 21/2 years ago from Jack Donta. She had spent some time in Phoenix, came back and decided that's what she wanted to do.
"It's been a wonderful adventure for me," Belvin said. "My heart is in education."
Despite the lease being up, it was always in her plan to relocate, she said.
"We want to be more visible to the public," she said. "It increases (the students') learning potential."
