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Downtown Potsdam business activity includes new stores, relocations, renovations

Posted 8/2/14

By MATT LINDSEY POTSDAM – Downtown Potsdam is undergoing several changes including the opening of a new clothing store and a salon, the relocation of two businesses, a new gym owner and major …

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Downtown Potsdam business activity includes new stores, relocations, renovations

Posted

By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM – Downtown Potsdam is undergoing several changes including the opening of a new clothing store and a salon, the relocation of two businesses, a new gym owner and major changes to Pizza Hut.

A Plattsburgh business owner says she saw a need for a clothing store in Potsdam following a stay at the Clarkson Inn last year. Dress Code, 18 Market St., offers name brand clothing through consignors.

“I try to stick to trendy clothing that is less than a two years old,” said Julie Woodley, owner.

Woodley says she had been searching for a second location and Potsdam piqued her interest due to it being a college town. She also owns a Dress Code store in Plattsburgh which she says college students love.

“The main reason I chose Potsdam is because of the four local colleges. That, combined with low prices and no place to shop for clothes, I think it will do well,” she said.

The store will be operated by one full-time employee and around three to four part-time employees, according to Woodley.

“It is a need here in the North Country because shopping is a day trip that many just don't have time for,” she says. To contact the store, call 261-4688 or “Like” Dress Code on Facebook.

New Salon

Bookings have begun at Wayne Allan Salon, 1 Market St., with doors set to open Aug. 4 featuring haircuts, coloring and the Paul Mitchell experience.

“This is what every hairdresser dreams of and strives for…to own their own business,” said Wayne Allan Foster, who will work at the salon. The business is owned and operated by Jayson Steere who recently relocated from Syracuse from the corporate world.

The salon will feature a contemporary black and white design similar to what you may see in New York City in an effort to “make your feel like you’re not in the North Country,” Foster said.

Complimentary beverages will be provided with services, Wi-Fi will be available and there are plans to offer valet service in the winter months, Steere says.

The Paul Mitchell Experience includes a private room to treat customers to a relaxing and intimate setting for a hair wash, scalp manipulations and hair treatment options, Foster says.

“It turns a sink into a spa,” Foster says.

Steere says he enjoys the peace and quiet that St. Lawrence County has to offer as well as the relationships he has built with other business owners. “People are willing to go the extra mile for you,” Steere said.

Keeping with the modern vibe, the salon will feature an app that clients can use to schedule appointments and pay for services, Steere says. “Parents can pay for their kids through the app making it very convenient,” Steere said.

Foster says he will be joined in the salon by Kate Charleson of Canton. The two worked together at Today’s Hair in Potsdam. There are plans for Charleson to offer manicures and pedicures in the future.

“We want to create a different atmosphere than all of the other salons in the area. We want to be a step above the rest,” Foster said.

To schedule an appointment, call 261-4261, visit www.wayneallensalon.com or “like” Wayne Allan Salon on Facebook.

Pizza Hut Renovations

Pizza Hut, 62 Market St., will undergo renovations soon transforming the restaurant inside and out with the addition of a Wing Street section that will add new items to its menu.

“The four walls and classic red roof will stay…but just about everything else will be changed and updated including the landscaping,” according to Pizza Hut District Manager Nick Frederick.

Frederick says the pizza chain received approval from the zoning board and is waiting on building permits before construction begins in early August.

“There will be new bathrooms…they needed to be brought up to code. We will replace and update equipment and add some new fryers,” he said.

The restaurant will be closed for 6 to 8 weeks as the entire interior is completely gutted and everything is brought up to code, Frederick says.

“The last time the Potsdam location was remodeled was about 7 or 8 years ago when some work in the dining room was completed,” Frederick says.

Pizza Hut has operated in Potsdam for more than 30 years, seats around 60 to 70 customers and employs anywhere from 20 to 30 people.

There are Wing Street locations in Massena and Ogdensburg.

Architecture Firm Relocates

Renew Architecture & Design recently relocated from Washington Street to 7 Maple St. and has plans for expansion while promoting being environmentally and economically wise.

“I believe in listening to customers needs and wants all while using natural factors like sun, wind and trees to best create what a client is looking for,” says owner Rebecca Weld.

Weld says she relocated back to Potsdam five years after spending nearly 10 years gaining knowledge and experience while becoming a licensed architect in Nantucket, Mass.

“I came back to the area because it's a nice place to raise a family and I knew I wanted kids. Also, to be close to my mother,” she said.

During her time in Nantucket, Weld says she worked on design and project administration for new buildings, renovations projects and many second homes.

“About 70 percent of my work is residential. I look at cost efficiency to see if a home project will be worth the investment for people,” Weld says.

Factors considered while planning includes if a client intends to sell soon, live at the residence for the foreseeable future and possible long-term savings, according to Weld.

Some of Weld’s work includes working with the owners of the new restaurant “Jakes on the Water” in Hannawa Falls as well as interior design work with Maple Run Emporium in Potsdam.

Weld has done work on homes and businesses all over St. Lawrence County and says she is looking to expand her presence further south.

With business her growing, Weld who works alone, is looking to hire upwards of three employees to better meet her customers demands.

“With two architects in the area it gives people the choice between design styles and someone who they feel compatible with,” Weld said.

Renew Architecture offers feasibility studies, design, home renewal planning, historic preservation, green energy consulting, interior design and facilities management. Weld says she offers services for large and small-scale residential projects and small to mid-scale commercial projects.

She is available to speak with at her office from 9 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment or chance.

To contact Rebecca, call 262-0082, visit www.renewarchitecture.com or “like” the businesses page on Facebook.

Tattoo Shop Moves

At 4 Main St., Piercings by Tat2Pauly, recently opened offering body piercings tattoos.

Paul Matott owns and operates the new location which was previously at 16 Market St. He worked at Sleepy Hollow prior to going to into business for himself.

Matott offers dermal anchors which is a body piercing on the dermal layer of the skin, which is below the epidermal skin. Dermal piercing is done with a piece of body jewelry in which the base of the anchor is kept constant and the top, or threaded end, can be changed. Dermal piercing is a kind of permanent body jewelry.

More traditional piercings are offered including ear, nose, naval, nipples and mouth. The business also sells a variety of jewelry for all body piercings.

Loria Designs Custom Tattoo is ran by tattoo artist Lori Jarrett.

Jarrett specializes in custom and is also a PPD free henna artist. Those interested in getting a tattoo from Jarrett can do so by making an appointment.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/PiercingsbyTat2PaulyInc?rf=471550352882468.

New Gym Owner, Name

Meanwhile, Rogue Fitness and Protein Bar has been sold and rebranded as Beast Fitness.

The exercise salon is located at 8 Market Street and offers monthly cross training classes gym memberships and personal trainers.

Cross training classes are taught by new owner and certified trainer Erin Covell as well as Brendan Hofler. Classes vary each week and incorporate strength, aerobic weightlifting, gymnastics and mobility work. All ages and fitness levels are welcome.

For those looking for a more personalized approach, personal training sessions are available with Covell or Hofler.

Beast Fitness is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, contact 250-8776, “Like” on Facebook or visit www.nybeastfitness.com.