By: Jeanie Mayer
Where Customers Go for a High-Quality Salon Experience
The girl who was once voted “Best Hair” by her Hampshire High graduating class of 2010 now owns and operates a trendy salon in downtown Hampshire.
Christina Michelle Boelter started out as a history major after high school and earned her Associate in Arts degree from Elgin Community College with the aim of becoming a history teacher.
As often happens in college, she changed her career goals and she began following her dream of becoming a stylist at Paul Mitchell The School in Normal.
After graduating and gaining 2 years of experience in the professional cosmetology industry, Christina decided to be an independent hairstylist. In 2015, she began taking on clients while working out of her parent’s home in Hampshire. She continued to build her reputation as a stylist and eventually began renting her own space on North State Street in Hampshire.
Christina Michelle Salon specializes in haircuts and color, special occasion hair, and facial waxing services, for men and women. The salon also offers retail hair products for sale with a Paul Mitchell product focus.
“After my 3-year lease was up on the North end of State Street, I wanted a permanent home instead of renting. I purchased the 5/3rd Bank building on February 1st of 2020,” Christina said.
The building originally was a residential home that dates to 1862. It was repurposed in the 1970’s by Federal Savings Bank and had been occupied by various banks for the next 50 years. Christina’s goal was to return it to the look of a late 1800’s building, in keeping with the quaint appearance of the downtown.
Christina worked with the Bill Swalwell of the Beautification Committee, a subgroup of the Business Development Commission, to apply for a Façade Improvement Grant from the Village of Hampshire.
The original plan was to only remodel the inside of the old bank. After purchasing the building and becoming aware of the Hampshire Village’s Facade Program, Christina took advantage of her quarantine time off to focus on her application for the exterior facade.
The whole time I felt it was a very fine-tuned process. I received so much support from Bill and Ryan (Krajecki), who guided me through every step of the way. The timing worked out well for the project,” she said. Christina now serves on the Beautification Committee, helping other business owners through the process.
Having been a Hampshire resident all of her life, Christina knows how special the Hampshire community is.
Throughout my early 20’s, with starting my business, and then purchasing the building during a pandemic, the community was the wind in my sails. Without them, I would not have gotten through it,” Christina said.
“The community is in my design. I have my Hampshire posters (on the walls) and artwork from local artists; it proudly shows the support I have gotten,” she said.
Christina is focused on growing her business and plans on adding a few new stylists to her team to accommodate the needs of the community. She currently has one independent stylist, Erin Wanat of Hampshire, who is working in the salon.
Christina believes in building personal relationships with her clients and as such, does not accept walk-ins, preferring each stylist to make their own appointments with their clients.
About this Business
Name: Christina Michelle Salon
Location: 251 S. State Street, Hampshire
Year Established: 2015
Website: www.cmsalon.net
Phone: 847-595-9133 – call for appointment
Hours: By appointment only