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Press
The West Roxbury Roslindale Bulletin
January 3, 2002
Major expansion an exciting concept Hair
Salon looks to capitalize on new Roche Bros.
Daniel Ghizzone - Bulletin staff
In 1971, Michael Barsamian opened his first Lord's & Lady's
Hair Salon on Belgrade Avenue in West Roxbury. Since then he has
opened another 24 stores locating as far south as Philadelphia.
Barsamian has been paying special attention to his West Roxbury
store lately. And why shouldn't he? The new road, which will provide
access to the new Roche Brothers parking lot, ends up right beside
the salon. In fact, it used to be his parking lot.
Since Barsamian is moving his parking lot directly behind the salon,
access to this lot will be from the new road. In effect, the expected
2,000 cars a day using this road will be driving up and down the
Lord's & Lady's driveway. And Barsamian is now in the process
of turning his premiere hair salon into a state-of-the art community
cornerstone.
"I am switching the front of the salon to the new roadside
instead of the Belgrade Avenue side," Barsamian explained. "There
will be sidewalks on both sides of the new road, and that's where
my front door will be. Through the door my clients will see an
elevator and a flight of contemporary porcelain steps leading to
three floors full of hair and facial services."
Barsamian's redesign began with a trip to Italy to purchase all
new furniture. His new salon plans on being as visually stunning
as any four-star hotel.
"There will be a waterfall behind the front," Barsamian
said.
"And all of the countertops will be granite. The bathrooms
will be very European looking with black granite and stainless
steel fixtures."
The Lord's & Lady's redesign is incorporating some surprising
service oriented details for its clients. Besides the seven brand
new state-of-the-art tanning beds that will be housed in the salon,
eleven shampoo sinks will be in place with chairs that will electronically
move clients gently into place over the sink. "a simple push
of a button activates rollers in the chair that will massage the
client's back while they get their shampoo," Barsamian added.
A vacuum cleaning system will be installed throughout all three
floors.
"We will no longer need to use those big, clumsy brooms to
sweep hair off the floor, "Barsamian said. You can even check
your email or just surf the web." Barsamian is planning on
having a full wet-bar, dishwasher, and refrigerator at each cafe.
The new facade of the salon will use slabs of granite to update
the look of the building. Barsamian also has plans to incorporate
six display windows that will house illuminated advertisements
on fashion and hair. "This area of Centre Street is really
turning around, " Barsamian said.
"I would not be doing all this if Roche's wasn't moving in.
I think that once this area is developed, there will be no problem
renting all the vacated stores here."
"Business wasn't too bad to begin with," Barsamian said. "But
once the new Roche Brothers opens and my renovations are done,I
think my business will triple. I am extending the store hours to
9:00 p.m. seven days a week. And we may do theme days like Italian
or Irish Day."
With an expected 55 hairdressers working at the salon, Barsamian
is planning on having five receptionists working at the front desk.
And hopefully all 31 new waiting room chairs will arrive safely
from Italy in time for the "reopening" reception in April.
In addition to his Lord's & Lady's redesign, Barsamian is about
ready to begin construction on a new building just opposite the
salon on the new road."I am ready with all my permits and
the like," Barsamian said. "I just need to put it hold
until we are done with the salon."
Barsamian feels he will have no problem renting the spaces in his
building once people see all the vitality and prosperity created
on this corner of West Roxbury.
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