Rigo Perdomo

Park Point hasn’t been nearly as successful as Wilmorite had hoped it would be when it opened some 18 months ago. Now, one of the anchors of Simone Square, the retail centerpiece of Park Point, Gallery Salon TOO, is preparing to close their doors for good.

Ever since it opened in the summer of 2008, Gallery Salon TOO, the sister location of Gallery Salon and Spa on University Avenue in downtown Rochester, has been a welcomed bright spot at Park Point. It is especially pleasant in the midst of winter when the weather seems to turn the area into a cold abyss. From the friendly and helpful staff to the warm and comforting environment, the salon, with its long list of hair care options and minor spa treatments, has become a retreat for both RIT students and people living in the surrounding communities.

Rigo Perdomo

As stated in 12.11.09’s report: “Is the Park Point Honeymoon Over?” many of the nine businesses located in Park Point have been having financial trouble since their opening less than two years ago. Until this point, they have all been able to maintain their businesses, although some are relying on other locations to keep them fiscally afloat. Unfortunately, Gallery Salon TOO just hasn’t received enough business to stay open any longer. To the disappointment of many of their happy customers, the doors will close on Saturday, Feb. 27.

While the poor economy has stopped some clients from purchasing some of the more expensive hair treatments and spa offerings on the menu, the true culprit can be found quite a bit closer to home than Wall Street or Washington. According to stylist Terilynn Johnston, “The biggest problem has really been Wilmorite. They were supposed to promote us and they haven’t. There have just been a lot of promises unkept.” Unfortunately, Johnston along with her fellow co-workers Kera Iwasko and Claire O’Niell will no longer be a working with the Gallery Salon Team.

Rigo Perdomo

Like most of the businesses at Park Point, half of Gallery Salon TOO’s clientele has been RIT students, and of these, nearly all of them have been students living at Park Point. “Students on campus are just starting to find out about us, which isn’t good since we’ve been here for what, two years?” said Johnston. Having been continually let down by Wilmorite, the staff has attempted to raise publicity for themselves by visiting campus but, according to Johnston, they have been asked to leave campus on each of these occasions.

For those students who have come to rely on Galley Salon TOO’s services, Johnston recommends the Encore Salon just down the road in Southtown Plaza. For those who wish to continue patronizing the Gallery Salon team, the University Avenue location is open to anyone. Both the University Avenue branch as well as the Gallery Salon at Rivers Run, located just minutes from campus on Fairwood Drive, will take any gift certificates purchased at or for Gallery Salon TOO.