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Melissa’s Hair Studio now open in former Regis location at St. Lawrence Centre in Massena

Posted 1/27/20

BY MATT LINDSEY North Country This Week MASSENA — Melissa’s Hair Studio is now open in the former Regis Salon location at the St. Lawrence Center mall. In September, Regis Corporation, which has …

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Melissa’s Hair Studio now open in former Regis location at St. Lawrence Centre in Massena

Posted

BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

MASSENA — Melissa’s Hair Studio is now open in the former Regis Salon location at the St. Lawrence Center mall.

In September, Regis Corporation, which has been a staple at the mall since 1990, closed its doors leaving five displaced stylists. Melissa Munson, a Regis employee at the time, decided to invest in opening a salon in its place.

“I really could not understand the corporation’s decision to close this location but after hearing that 300 salons were instructed to close their gates without any notice on December 30, I am counting my blessings. With the help and support of friends and family this adventure was made feasible” she said.

Munson has been in the field since 1988 with time spent at Supercuts in Boca Raton, Fla., Lemon Tree Franchise in Mamaroneck, and David Gavin Salons in Millerton before opening her own salon in Amenia from 2004- 2012.

While running her salon in Amenia, Munson’s clientele was varied, from the local Agricultural National Union representative, who did farm chores daily to Wall Street brokers, actors and actresses. Some of my her famous clients included artist Robert Kipness, actors Rip Torn and Bradley Whitford, actress Jane Kaczmarek, and the children of Liam Neeson.

Susanne Derouchie-Shannon and Abby Griffith joined Munson at the salon. Together, the staff has over 80 years experience.

Derouchie-Shannon began her career in 1988 working in several private salons like Peters salon in Ogdensburg , Massena's Corinthians, Apollo and Tisha & Tara's salon in Akwesasne. Mid-career was spent in corporate salons including Cost Cutters in Ogdensburg, Great Clips in Florida as well as Regis Corporation in Massena for the past 6 years.

“I had the opportunity to manage several Great Clips salons while living in Jacksonville & Tampa, Florida, Naval base territory, which gave me the opportunity to develop and created my love for military haircuts,” Derouchie-Shannon said. “Regis closing its location floored me … I wasn’t sure what I would do. I was thrilled when Melissa chose to open her own salon there. It's nice to work in a privately owned salon again. Small local businesses are more personable and without corporate influence we can keep prices reasonable without affecting quality.”

Abby-Griffith began her career as a hair stylist in 1998 with the Regis Company and managed the salon from 2000-2019 until its recent closing. Specializing in color services such as “babylights” and corrective color.

“I will give you an honest analogy and develop a plan to create a look made for you,” Abby-Griffith said. “I take into account a lot more than that model picture you have shown me. What may look good on print might not be what you really want or can manage,” she said.

Melissa’s Hair Studio is a full service salon for men, women and children. They offer haircuts, hair coloring, waxing services, as well as bridal and prom packages.

There is still space for more stylists at the salon. Munson said she is looking for “responsible, talented” stylists to join her staff.

Following the closing of Regis, Munson said she lost some clients during the process of opening her business.

“We are reopened and the gossip is coming around,” she said. “We want to get the word back out there.”

The hair studio accepts cash, credit and debit.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 315-514-1405 or stop in to the mall in person.

More info, Facebook at Melissas Hair Studio Inc., email melissashairstudio.com or website, melissashairstudio.