Looking for a relaxing day filled with pampering and maybe even a new look?
Then check out the new Abalon Salon & Spa, located in the old Artisan Natural Bodyworks building at 121 S. Washington.
Owned by a husband and wife team of Ken and Maryann Matykowski of Lake Orion, the almost two-month old business has transformed the old Victorian architectural beauty into an oasis of pampering.
From body massages to facials and manicures to hair styling, Abalon’s experienced staff caters to your every need.
Maryann, a 1972 Lake Orion High School graduate, has been in the salon business for 26 years and said she got into the cosmetology field because of support from her mother and father.
Maryann said she really wanted to be a teacher, but that owning a salon was something she could always ‘fall back on.?
‘I’ve been falling back on it ever since,? she said laughing.
She spent a lot of time at different salons and moving back and forth between Michigan and other states until she settled in Lake Orion six years ago.
After a 25-year career at Chrysler, her husband decided to team up with his wife in the salon business four years ago. Ken handles the computers and paperwork while she works on the technical side.
The couple previously owned a salon called Adreneline in Lake Orion, but decided to take a different approach and moved to Oxford.
‘We went from the high-end, high-tech look in Lake Orion to more of a homey spa-type thing,? Matykowski said.
Moving to Oxford meant a more ‘quaint? and ‘peaceful environment,? according to Matykowski.
The Matykowski’s wanted to name the new salon Avalon, but because another salon in Birmingham had the same name they needed to get creative.
By replacing a few letters here and there, Abalon was born.
What does it mean? Absolutely nothing.
‘When people ask me what it means, I say ‘pure joy,?? said Matykowski.
Pure joy, indeed.
The main floor has a comfortable waiting room, a room for massages and facials as well as numerous styling stations for hair.
Make your way to the basement to enjoy a pedicure or manicure with two relaxing foot bubble spas to treat your toes.
Finally, on the second level, a peaceful, quiet room for massage therapy awaits you to relieve you of your stressful day.
Abalon also offers body wraps, bronzing, waxing and hair extensions, a feature not many salons have.
‘That’s kind of like my forte,? Matykowski said.
Prices vary; from women’s hair cuts and styles for $30 to an oxygenation facial for $80. Men’s hair cuts start at $20, while a manicure can run anywhere from $20 plus.
Abalon Salon & Spa is staffed with eight stylists, three massage therapists and two nail technicians, all licensed and experienced.
Matykowski said she thrives on giving excellent customer service. That’s why she and her husband made sure they hired a staff that is ‘passionate? in what they do.
Keeping the public and the clients happy is not always easy in a competitive market. Matykowski said the challenge in owning a business is that it is always changing.
‘Just when you think you have a pattern down, something changes,? she said.
With a database of over 2,000 clients from their old salon, Matykowski hopes for Abalon Salon & Spa to grow even more, which she believes would be a great benefit to the Oxford community.
?(Oxford) just seems like a tight-knit community of business owners,? she said. ‘It’s growing by leaps and bounds and I really think that as the community grows, we’re going to grow with them.?
Matykowski said the salon is already looking to expand by adding more massage therapy rooms on the second level of the building.
With a growing number of clients, Matykowski said she knows Abalon will be a well-established business in the next five years. ‘We’d like to see all of our technicians booked up and our clients happy.?
For more information about Abalon Salon & Spa, call (248) 236-9720. Walk-ins are welcomed!