Experienced stylist opens hair salon in Muskegon’s Lumberman’s Vault - mlive.com

Oct 22, 2024

Alchemy Salon owner Erin "the Barber's Daughter" France comes from Montague where her father still runs a barber shop. Photo by Jennifer Green PhotographyJennifer Green

MUSKEGON, MI – A hair stylist with nearly two decades of experience has set up shop in the former Lumberman’s Bank.

Alchemy Salon by the Barber’s Daughter opened its doors Monday, Oct. 21, on the second floor of Lumberman’s Vault, part of Core Plaza at 221 W Webster Ave., Suite E, in Muskegon.

Hair is the family business for owner Erin “The Barber’s Daughter” France. Originally from Montague, where her dad runs a barber shop with her brother and nephew, France has 19 years of styling experience. She has worked in Aveda Salons for most of her career and attended the Aveda Business College.

France told MLive she started Alchemy Salon to refocus her career and train the next generation of stylists.

“I never really wanted to have a salon, it wasn’t really my dream,” she said. “But my plans have changed as I’ve gotten older. I love to educate new stylists … My kids are getting older, so I felt like this is a good time to do it.”

France also is the first stylist in Muskegon to carry new brands such as BOB (Back of Bottle) hair care and Color Space hair coloring products.

The salon currently has just two other stylists on staff, but France said she is conducting interviews and plans to hire more as business picks up within the next month.

Alchemy Salon is one of a handful of commercial tenants that will occupy the second-floor mezzanine overlooking Lumberman’s Vault. The first floor will be home to a food hall with soul food, Mexican and Thai options, and the Liquid Assets Cocktail & Wine Bar.

Troy Wasserman, partner with Core Realty Partners, the development team behind Core Plaza and Lumberman’s Vault, told MLive in an email that the project still has a good amount of inspections to complete, and he predicted everything would be up and running early to mid-November.

The name Lumberman’s Vault pays homage to the building’s history. Originally built in 1962 as National Lumberman’s Bank of Muskegon, the building was once regarded as the city’s premier bank and even housed the state’s first rooftop heliport in 1965.

The building had sat vacant for a decade prior to the Core Plaza redevelopment. The building’s third through sixth floors now are occupied by office tenants, including Core Realty Partners.

French said the journey from leasing to opening in Lumberman’s Vault has been “absolutely incredible.”

“The building is just incredible,” she said. “I think it‘s such a cool project. The second I walked in here and met with Troy … right away I was like ’I know I‘m doing this.’”

Alchemy Salon is offering 20% off any facial this week as part of the grand opening celebration. People can book an appointment at alchemysalonmuskegon.com or by calling 231-246-8136.

Regular hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Tuesday, when the salon is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. by appointment only, then 1-8 p.m. for regular business.

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