Business savvy, always in style

Acclimating herself with the community came easy to Owner of The Patrician Room Salon and Day Spa, Patty Armstrong, once she saw how much she loved the area.

Starting her career as the manager of a hair salon in Buffalo, Armstrong quickly learned the City of Buffalo was not the “right” place for her to open a business. After realizing she had exhausted all her options of making money at that specific salon in the late 70s,’ Armstrong decided to look into other alternatives so she could do what she loved and make a living at the same time.

She headed back from Buffalo in 1977 and stopped half way from where she called home at the time, Niagara Falls, and soon found her self in North Tonawnda.

“After that, I just loved it here and stayed forever,” said Armstrong.

Sitting on committees for Boces and sponsoring a male fast pitch softball team, allowed her to not only gain cliental, but also get some insight into the foreseeable future of what direction the salon industry was heading in.

“I saw the future of the salon was men and woman, so I knew I needed a larger establishment where I could accommodate,” said Armstrong. “Every time I could grow, I would grow.”

Armstrong opened her first salon next to Pane’s restaurant. As she continued to gain more cliental, including a growing male cliental, she began to look for a larger establishment where she could grow her business.

In the late 1980s, Armstrong purchased the building located at 1226 Payne Ave., North Tonawanda, where she then expanded and renovated the building, ultimately creating a beautiful and welcoming environment for her customers.

Armstrong feels her success can be attributed to her business savvy take on running a business.

“I have instituted the salon as a business,” she added, “You have to crawl and then you walk, and then you achieve. How successful you are, depends on what you are willing to sacrifice.”

Armstrong’s staff is qualified in all aspects of the job.

“As I grew, I hired more people. I took the girls from Boces, because I was always on the board for the hair competitions. So, every time I saw a winning girl - I hired them. Every single one of the girls placed in a competition,” she said. “Everyone who works here is sufficient to interchange people. People go to each and every operator, whether they are on vacation or not.”

All the hair stylists’ who work at The Patrician Room are North Tonawanda graduates, who attended Boces for cosmetology.

The salon offers manicures; pedicures; artificial nails; cut; color; waxing; sugaring; massage; facials; body wraps that also include a Vichy shower, with a body treatment of choice; custom packages including weight loss; bridal services and a variety of additional offers. The establishment is equipped with its own individual massage room, facial room, Vichy room and bridal room.

The Patrician Room specializes in the use and sale of Aveda products. “We use solely Aveda products. It is the product we sell and it’s an honor to be a concept salon. We are qualified in all aspects and we provide every service here.”

Armstrong continues to educate herself and her employees by attending classes in order to stay up to date on the latest styles, color line, techniques and more.

The Patrician Room staff strives to create a comfortable environment that promotes an overall fantastic experience when a client enters the salon.

To enjoy the full experience, contact The Patrician Room at 693-4088 or visit www.patricianroomsalon.com. The salon is offering half price on facials, pedicures, Vichy showers and massages for the entire month of September, by appointment only. Mention this article when making the appointment to receive the discount.