Though only a few years past training — she graduated from cosmetology school in Escanaba in 2022 — LaBelle has established her own business, Classic Salon Company at 1049 Roosevelt Road in Niagara. She opened May 7 after working for almost a year to get a site ready, she said.

The building actually was used as a hair salon in the past, the last being Pat’s on Main, owned by Pat Glime. LaBelle said she would be interested in meeting him to hear about his business.

The services she offers include different types of hair cuts and coloring, plus manicures. She wants to eventually expand the salon.

“I’m hoping to bring other stylists in within the next year,” she said.

Classic Salon Company at 1049 Roosevelt Road in Niagara, Wis., offers haircuts and coloring, along with manicures. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News)

The hours now are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. They are limited right now because she has another job.

When LaBelle was looking for a name for the business, she said she wanted something different.

“I just wanted it to be like a classic name — and ultimately I just ended up using that as my name,” LaBelle explained with a laugh.

She said she has received a lot of advice, especially from members of the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce.

“A lot of people from the chamber were telling me to ‘charge my worth, know my worth,'” she said.

Annika LaBelle stands by desk near the entry at her business Classic Salon Company, 1049 Roosevelt Road in Niagara, Wis. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News)

Family and friends have also been very supportive, especially the building’s owners, Dave and Nikki Sanicki, who own the Pit Stop Bar next door.

“They are just so supportive. They tell everyone about me and are sending people over. They’ve been wonderful,” LaBelle said.

She wants to customers to enjoy their experience at her salon.

“Something I’m passionate about is giving people a welcoming space to not feel judged and to feel comfortable,” LaBelle said. “I just really want them to have a great experience when they get their hair done. I don’t want it to feel strictly transactional. That’s what I’m really looking to give people here — I’m looking to not just take care of their hair but to take care of them.”

LaBelle can be contacted at 715-701-2503 or by email at classicsalonco@gmail.com.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.