A Wodonga salon owner has transformed a former car yard into a place of beauty.
Bree Armstrong, 24, has renovated the two-storey building on Elgin Boulevard, next to the Shell service station, which was previously owned by Seaton Motors.
The Beauty Hub had outgrown its previous location in Crystal Court, South Wodonga, and Ms Armstrong was searching for a larger space.
“I had to drive past this building on Elgin Boulevard to get to work each morning … I knew it was the one I wanted,” she said.
“I rang three real estate businesses and one of them told me Mark Seaton owned it.
“He showed me through and I was like, yes, I want it.”
Ms Armstrong said the renovation of the building, which was originally a roadhouse, was a large upgrade.
“In our old location there were no windows in the place and now each room has a window and it feels so open,” she said.
“It’s almost five times bigger and the main comments we get from our clients is that it’s bright, airy and much bigger.”
Ms Armstrong said the building had great bones and she could see its potential.
“I hired some machinery and sanded the floorboards because they are beautiful floors,” she said.
“The wooden floorboards upstairs is probably the one original part of the building I kept.
“Lots of people comment on the flooring, so I am glad that I did it.”
Ms Armstrong said there were a few people in her life who thought the building was too big and old to take on as a project.
“I like a challenge and I could see the potential,” she said.
A reception desk, nail station and one beauty room is on the bottom level, while upstairs are another seven treatment rooms and a massage room.
Services include spray tanning, nails, massages, waxing, eyebrows, and makeup.
The business stocks products from Dermalogica, Cloud Nine, MCoBeauty, Loving Tan and Lust Minerals to name a few.
Ms Armstrong also runs another business, Lorum Lashes, which sells false eyelashes and she is able to stock her product at the salon, as well as managing the online sales.
The Beauty Hub has eight staff and will look to expand on its services to include laser treatments and cosmetic injections.
Since opening the new store, Ms Armstrong has welcomed many new faces to the salon and looks forward to growing her clientele.
The business shares the building with Murphy’s Lane, a drive-through coffee shop next door that opened at the same time.
“It’s great having a coffee shop next door because it drives up business for us and them,” Ms Armstrong said.
“It’s been especially great at Christmas time because people have been getting a coffee and coming across to us for gift cards.”
The business is open Mondays 9am to 5pm, Tuesdays 7am to 6pm, Wednesdays 8am to 7pm, Thursdays 8am to 8pm, Fridays 7am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.
To make an appointment, phone 0408 882 402 or book online at www.thebeautyhub.net.au
The business recently launched its online store that includes click and collect.