Commercial real estate is a bit like the Lord in the Book of Job: It giveth and it taketh away.
Décor Homes is about to exit the anchor space in the Dalewood Shopping Center II on Central Avenue in Hartsdale, a footprint once home to the Christmas Tree Shops. And while Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner does not yet know what will occupy the space, he said he is pleased with the new Amazing Lash Studio, which opened at the center on Friday, Feb. 14.
“This is the kind of business that will make the Dalewood Shopping Center a destination for those who are looking for an exceptional business that offers customers customized eyelash styles,” he wrote in an email. “I think this new business may attract to Dalewood and Central Avenue customers who normally would not shop on Central Avenue. It’s a different kind of specialized business that many residents will appreciate. Central Avenue has restaurants, food stores, supermarkets, bookstores, indoor golf. I think residents and visitors to Central Avenue appreciate the variety.”
Hartsdale is the second Amazing Lash Studio for Marcia Hawthorne, who also owns the one in Port Chester and who brings an unusual background to aesthetic services. Recently, the Westfair Business Journal caught up with her to discuss her blended business style:
Tell us about the new space.
“The 2,200-square-foot space is a haven of tranquility, elegance and beauty. At Amazing Lash Studio, every visit is a pampering experience from start to finish. The studio’s design maintains the brand’s signature aesthetic while allowing franchise owners to incorporate personal touches – small yet meaningful enhancements that elevate the space’s sophistication and serenity, making it uniquely theirs.”
Do you provide other cosmetic services?
“We’re more than just a lash salon…. In addition to our signature, beautifully lightweight and natural-looking lash extensions, we now offer expert brow services to enhance your look. As the industry leader in eyelash extensions — part of a booming $1.3 billion market — we take pride in setting the standard for quality, innovation and beauty.”
How did you get started and finance your business?
“I was already a member at an Amazing Lash Studio in Englewood, New Jersey, which was about an hour’s drive from my home in Westchester. One day, I needed a last-minute lash appointment for an impromptu event, but the studio was fully booked. In a panic, I decided to visit a competitor closer to home — though I felt a little guilty, as I considered myself a loyal Amazing Lash client.
“After the service, I was home in just 12 minutes, compared to the two-hour round trip to New Jersey. It was then that I had an ‘aha’ moment: How wonderful would it be to have an Amazing Lash Studio right here in Westchester? I hesitated at first, unsure if my partner would think I was crazy, but when I pitched the idea to him, he was fully supportive. In fact, he played a key role in researching the franchise. Thanks to his support and guidance, we were able to open the first Amazing Lash Studio in Westchester County. We were fortunate enough to self-finance the project, which made the journey to becoming business owners even more rewarding.”
Your background is unusual for someone in aesthetic services.
“I’m originally from the Bronx – I studied at Bronx Community College — and my background couldn’t be more different from the lash industry….. Along with my partner, Shawn French, we own and operate nine Golden Krust Caribbean restaurant franchises. Golden Krust is a family-owned business that started in 1989 in the Bronx and has since grown to proudly operate 140 franchises nationwide — and counting.”
What’s next? Are you thinking of opening other lash or restaurant locations?
“I’m excited about what the future holds, though, admittedly, I’m cautious about what’s next. There’s a saying, ‘If you can think it, you can achieve it,’ and with nine restaurants and two lash studios, I feel fulfilled. That said, I’m always open to new challenges, so for now, I’ll embrace whatever opportunities come my way and take it one step at a time.”
