Morgan's Alley new tenant is a cut above

Morgan's Alley in downtown Lewiston is getting closer to being full.

The newest tenant is Vogue Hair and Nail Salon on the complex's second floor. The salon was recently renovated by the building's owners, Vikky and John Ross, and Vikky Ross' sister, Nikky Hites.

Hites estimates the complex is more than 65 percent full, compared with a 40 percent occupancy rate when the trio acquired it in September 2006.

The salon offers haircuts, hair coloring, permanents, manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing.

Three of five stylists who are leasing space in the salon came from Hairway 21 in Lewiston. They are Dustin Rocco, who has six years of experience, and Jessica Clark and Jody Tonata, who are recent graduates of Headmasters.

Another stylist, Katherine Clark, leased space at Morgan's Alley until the salon closed 11/2 years ago. Clark began her cosmetology career 20 years ago and specializes in pedicures, facials, waxing, eyebrow and eyelash tinting and hairstyles for wedding parties. The fifth stylist is Kristin Stone, who used to be at Echo's Salon in Lewiston.

Hites and the Rosses own the salon. "We have a little more control over how the business is run,'' Hites said. "We wanted to make sure all the stations were full so there is a lot of traffic.''

And the people who use the salon are potential customers of other Morgan's Alley stores, Hites said.

One of the next renovations the building owners have for Morgan's Alley will be an elevator to the second floor. It will be installed no later than the end of the year.

Steep stairs prevent many seniors and those with disabilities from visiting businesses on the second floor. That group in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley represents about 10,000 people, or 17 percent of the population. It's a demographic too large to exclude, Hites said.

One of the final projects will be remodeling a 3,000-square-foot banquet room, also on the second floor. Hites and the Rosses hope a catering cooperative will lease the banquet room and its commercial kitchen. The cooperative would be responsible for reservations.

Vogue Hair and Nail Salon is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The telephone number is (208) 743-3005.

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Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 743-9600, ext. 261.