KO Grad Takes Over Former ‘Charm’ Salon

There are new faces behind the windows of the former Charm Beauty Shoppe on West Liberty Avenue, but the salon still has hometown roots.

Lyndsay Lewis has set up shop in the iconic Dormont storefront with a new business, Salon Atmosphere, and she hopes to maintain the classic look and feel of the popular and historic salon.

“I’ve passed this place every day for my entire life,” the Dormont native said. “I didn’t expect to be right back in Dormont, but I love doing something to give back to the area. So many people have come here to support me because they’ve known me.”

Lewis graduated from Keystone Oaks High School in 2001, then attended South Hills Beauty Academy. She also studied and worked with Bumble and Bumble in New York City, before moving back to the Pittsburgh area. She now lives in Brookline.

Lewis is only the second person to own a salon at the Charm location. Salon Atmosphere opened in February.

Charm opened in Dormont in the 1930s, and always was owned by the same family. It is known in the community for its unique art-deco exterior, a feature Lewis says she plans to maintain.

“We modernized everything inside, but kept some of the old touches,” she said. “The front desk, manicure station and shampoo chairs are original.”

She said she also hopes to install an outdoor business sign that matches the art deco-style building. Lewis said the only reason she’s not still calling it Charm is because she had already begun marketing the business as Salon Atmosphere when she moved into the storefront.

The salon serves men, women and children. In addition to haircuts, styling, and coloring, services include hair and eyelash extensions, waxing, nail and makeup service. Lewis said all of her products are certified organic.

The salon also can host private bridal and birthday parties.

“Everything we do that is more high-end, we try to do at an affordable price,” Lewis said. “We want to make it a fun atmosphere to be here.

Salon Atmosphere is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The salon is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

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