Mixology salon readies for summer opening in shuttered St. Charles shop

ST. CHARLES – Dean Courser wanted to find the right tenant for his real estate in downtown St. Charles, which previously housed Vertical Drop Ski and Patio.

He said he got his wish with Mixology Salon Spa – an upscale, multifaceted salon that is moving into 5,200 square feet on the building's east end.

"[It is] a great thing for downtown St. Charles," Courser said.

At 116 W. Main St., the building sits at the corner of West Main Street and Route 31, about a block away from the Fox River. Vertical Drop, which Courser started in 1979, closed under a different owner in 2013.

Interior demolition for Mixology began Monday, co-owner Sue Henry said. She is opening the salon with Phoebe Falese – the stylist and creative director – and is aiming for a summer opening, likely by Aug. 1, she said.

She said they are excited about the location.

"We wanted to be in the heart of downtown," Henry said, noting they live in St. Charles and are looking forward to "being in the ground level of building up downtown."

Henry said they hope the salon will capture more of the wedding business, which tends to go to Geneva.

"There's nothing like this in the area," Henry said, describing it as a "great asset."

Mixology will be an Aveda concept salon and will have a dedicated retail space in front for the brand's products, Henry said.

She said services will include custom color – hence the name Mixology – as well as manicures, pedicures, massages and facials.

But Mixology won't be just for women, Henry said. Men will have their own area within the salon, she said, adding the business will accommodate young, up-and-coming male clients who also seek high-end salon services.

In addition to grooming services, Mixology will feature local artwork in a back room named 116 Gallery, Henry said, noting a partnership with Cultural Connection. Artwork also will be sold throughout the salon, she said.