Perfection takes time. That is something Island Breeze Tanning Owner and Manager Stephanie Stephen kept in mind while designing her new store.
‘I wanted something that stood up to the Clarkston name,? Stephen said.
Stephen spent nearly six months working on the building prior to its late-January opening, adorning the 2,200-square-foot building with customized colors and look more befitting of a home.
The walls are painted with colors customized for Stephen and the room numbers have been personally designed for her as well.
‘Everyone loves it, the colors are warm and relaxing,? Stephen said.
Guests will recognize the patience paid to small details after glancing up from the bamboo hardwood floors. The store’s waiting area has three leather sofas and a large plasma television to greet clients. Guests won’t likely be able to spend much time there, as the salon has six beds to offer and is looking to expand to 10 in the near future.
The salon will also be offering a nail technician for manicures and pedicures.
Island Breeze will also be offering a ‘Mystic Tan? spray tan they are excited to be getting.
Stephen’s father, Tony, owner of the complex where the salon sits nestled above a Curves fitness center, thinks the customers will appreciate the convenience of the one-two punch the locations provide.
‘We thought about what was needed in the area. People are very excited and very happy to have the convenience,? he said.
He said the increased traffic flow near the Davisburg Road and Dixie Highway intersection will help bring business to the store.
‘People need to know where we’re at. This building is very popular,? Stephen said.
Stephen said the time spent with early details will help expedite service in the future.
‘We want full speed, we didn’t cut any corners,? he said.
‘Opening a business, you have to do it the right way to avoid setbacks.?
Tony Stephen also owns the neighboring Davisburg and Dixie Market and the family has been living in the Clarkston area for seven years. Stephen has been in family retail for more than 30 years and Stephanie has been helping and managing her father’s stores since she was a teenager, giving her a plentiful amount of customer-relations skills.
‘She’s a people person,? Tony said. Customers have often commented about Stephanie’s quality service standards to her father.
Tony said the Springfield Township government officers were instrumental to get the shop up and running as quickly as it did.
The Stephens both remarked on the helpful computer system, Helios, the salon uses. The system records clients? preferences for which tanning beds they like and the products they have purchased in the past, i.e. lotions and bronzers.
Island Breeze offers ‘The Sun Club? for its guests. The club is a $25 one-time fee and clients can pay by the minute based on the bulb strength of the tanning beds used. Membership entitles clients to a 25 percent discount on lotions year-round.
Island Breeze Tanning is located at 9811 Dixie Highway, Suite 2. The store can be reached at 248-625-9094. Island Breeze is open Mon-Thurs. 9a.m.-9p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.