Panache Salon Unveils New Façade on The BLVD
Panache Salon Unveils New Façade on The BLVD
Posted Date: 8/30/2012 4:00 PM
Panache Spa and Salon celebrated over 24 years in business with the unveiling of its newly-renovated façade, facilitated by a grant from the City of Lancaster’s Downtown Commercial Property Improvement Program (CPIP). Panache is the final business to receive funding through the program.
“Panache has grown tremendously in recent years, and has fast become a pillar of The BLVD,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “We are proud to partner with owner Shirley Griffiths to continue building and strengthening our downtown. With the completion of Panache’s new façade, this central block of The BLVD looks more magnificent than ever before.”
Panache received $40,000 in grant funding through the CPIP, which was funded by the former Lancaster Redevelopment Agency. Program participants were also required to contribute matching funds on a 1:1 basis, bringing the total investment to over $80,000.
“Our back patio had always been wonderful with the water fountain and rose garden, but the front of Panache was very dated and plain. The minute the facade improvement program was launched, we wanted to be a part of it,” said Shirley Griffiths, owner of Panache. “We truly had no idea what a difference giving our building a facelift would make. Our door opens daily with new clients wanting to see who we are and what we have to offer. One of our regular clients commented that ‘now the front tells the story of what’s inside.’ ”
Panache opened on Lancaster Boulevard in 1988, beginning with just three stylists in a small area at the rear of their existing facility. “You could only find us if someone gave you directions,” commented Griffiths. All that changed in 2009, when she and husband Brian Griffiths were given the opportunity to purchase the building.
“This has proven to be the best business decision we’ve ever made,” said Shirley Griffiths. In the three years since, Panache has exploded from a small operation with three stylists to a full-service salon, with 21 employees providing haircuts and styling; nail care; facials; massage; skin care; and a wide range of retail products.
“What makes our business different from others is our customer service,” said Griffiths. “The minute you walk into either our front or back patio, you will feel it right away. Not sometimes, but always, you will be greeted and welcomed in, whether you are a regular client or someone new just dropping in to see what we do. You know by the feeling inside the building that everyone is happy to be there, customers and staff alike.”
With its long history downtown, Panache has experienced firsthand the impact revitalization has had on The BLVD.
“We have been a part of and watched the downtown for 24 years, and without hesitation I will say that what has happened is both amazing and awesome,” said Griffiths. “The events that bring people out, walking and enjoying our downtown, have given my business new life. I would like to thank everyone at the City for their hard work and efforts to improve our downtown, and a very special thank you for Panache’s new façade. It has worked wonders for us.”
The CPIP provided a total of $380,000 in grant funding to 11 downtown businesses. Through the matching requirement, participants contributed over $410,000 in additional private funding, bringing the total invested in the downtown area through the program to over $790,000.
“This is another stellar example of what we can achieve when the public sector and the private sector partner to build our community,” said Parris. “This program has pumped nearly $800,000 into our downtown area, providing funding to small, locally-owned businesses that continue to be the heartbeat of the American economy. We are proud to be a part of this program, and I encourage residents to venture downtown to explore all that Panache and its fellow one-of-a-kind businesses have to offer.” Panache is located at 747 W. Lancaster Boulevard. For more information and to see video footage of the new façade, visit www.panachelancaster.com.