Bringing a little Sunshine to her hometown

Sunroom Tanning on Dixie Highway, which has been tanning area residents for more than 18 years, has a new owner ? Scarlett Mosher.
Before purchasing the tanning salon, Mosher worked with her husband, Greg Mosher, at Comunale Fire Protection Services. Scarlett, who grew up in the Clarkston area, also worked at Big Apple Bagel.
‘That was a lot of fun,? she said.
Before that, Greg was serving in the Air Force, and the family lived in Idaho, California, and Korea. After his service ended, they moved back to Clarkston with their children Katie, 19, and Joshua, 15, who also help out at Sunroom.
‘This is a good way for the kids to learn customer service and how to work with people,? Scarlett said.
Scarlett Mosher learned that Sunroom was for sale when talking to friends at the Clarkston bagel shop.
‘I looked into it, and bought it in August,? she said.
Moving into the long-time business has been interesting, she said.
‘It already has established clients,? she said. ‘It’s not like opening a new business ? it’s more like being adopted by it.?
She has brought a new, eclectic look to Sunroom Tanning, redesigning the front room and adding a lotion bar. The lotions, which include Australian Gold and Swedish Beauty, have all kinds of feels, textures, scents, and colors.
‘We have a broad range, and we can get any kind the customer has a preference for,? she said. ‘Lotion is a fun thing. It helps you tan better.?
Scarlett, Katie, and Joshua, the ‘Tan Line Inspectors? at Sunroom, try out all the lotions themselves before offering them to customers.
‘We try to put on as much lotion as possible ? we want to know that it works,? she said. ‘We don’t put anything on our customers we haven’t put on ourselves.?
She plans to run the salon mostly the same way it has always been.
‘Why change a good thing,? Mosher said. ‘For 18 years, people have been coming here because there’s something here they like.?
The salon has four stand-up and two bed tanning units, all of which are equipped with Wolf brand light bulbs.
‘It’s not so much about the equipment ? it’s about the light bulbs,? she said. ‘I carry the best light bulbs I can.?
They also offer custom spray booths for those who need a quick, short-term tan.
‘They’re very popular over the holidays,? Mosher said. ‘People don’t have to work at it. They can come in and get a tan quickly.?
Regular tanning sessions last from 8-20 minutes, depending on the customer’s skin type.
‘We don’t want to burn anyone,? she said.
Katie and Joshua are also working to make Sunroom accessible through the internet, on the My Space website. Manicurist ‘Dee,? who was been at Sunroom for seven years, does manicures and pedicures by appointment.
For the holidays, the shop offers gift certificate packages with various types of tanning options and lotions.
‘Any way we can bring sunshine into your day, we’ll do it,? she said. ‘Heaven knows, Michigan needs it.?
She is planning a grand opening for the week after New Year’s, featuring specials and free lotion samples.
‘It’s a way to celebrate the new year and a new business,? she said.
Sunroom Tanning & Nails is located at 7010 Dixie Highway. Call 248-625-0060, or contact them by e-mail Sunroomtanning@sbcglobal.net.