Fitger’s Salon & Spa a ‘one-stop shop’ for weddings – Duluth News Tribune

DULUTH — Over the past decade, Fitger’s Salon and Spa has partnered with others in the industry to help create a wedding destination on East Superior Street.

“The wedding community has really exploded here, especially here,” said Chelsie Evers, manager of Fitger Salon and Spa.

Located on the first floor of the historic Fitger’s complex at 600 E. Superior St., the beauty salon serves as a “one-stop shop” for wedding parties, pampering them from head to toe in preparation for the big day.

With 11 hair stylists, two nail technicians, a massage therapist and four estheticians on staff, the full-service salon offers services such as hair coloring, haircuts, facials, dermaplaning, eyelash extensions, eyelash tints, brow lamination, gel manicures, pedicures and massage services.

More recently, airbrush spray tanning was added to the mix on June 1st.

Having previously worked at a dermatology clinic, Evers describes herself as an “anti-sun person.” However, she admits to enjoying the effect of a glowing complexion, as do many brides who come to the clinic.

“The colors we use are really pretty. Nothing gets too green or too orange, and it’s very customizable,” Evers said. “We don’t like UV rays, so it’s a great way to tan without damaging your skin.”

Clients enter the ventilated My Tan Professional machine, where the spray tan is applied by a trained beautician using an airbrush hose. Once dried, it is non-transferable and lasts between seven and ten days.

The brand new service came about as a result of requests from Fitger salon customers, who expressed their desire for spray tanning capabilities via an Instagram poll.

Especially for wedding parties, the ability to schedule all of their services with one appointment at one location is a benefit, Evers said.

The salon’s proximity to industry partner businesses is also important. Fitger’s Salon is just one piece of the puzzle, working in collaboration with neighboring businesses in what is commonly referred to as Duluth’s “wedding hub.”

The synergy between local wedding businesses such as Northland Special Events, Greysolon and others within the Fitger’s complex has been recognized by Minneapolis-based Minnesota Bride magazine, which Evers says will feature the trio in a 2025 issue.

“They can come stay at Fitger’s Inn. They can have their rehearsal dinner at The Boat Club restaurant,” she said. Both neighboring businesses are located in the complex.

Less than a mile from the salon is Greysolon Reception Venue, located at 231 E. Superior St., where 800 custom weddings have been held, according to its website. It can accommodate up to 200 guests in the Moorish Room and up to 370 guests in the Ballroom, with on-site catering from Greysolon by Black Woods.

Also located in the Greysolon Plaza building is a new fine jewelry store called Genereau & Co. which opened on June 7.

“We want to make this area a destination wedding,” said John Panchyshyn, co-owner of Genereau & Co. “A Midwest wedding destination, if you will.”

Then, just down the street, Northland Special Events is headquartered in the Bagley Building at 315 W. Superior St. Within its corporate community, Northland also offers one-stop shopping with planning and coordination services with True North Weddings, floral services with Superior Blooms and specialty rentals with Vault Event Decor.

“All of our clients receive a preferred vendor list upon booking,” said Mariah McKechnie, CEO of Northland Special Events. “Clients feel like they have a local vendor team for their weddings, which is a cost-effective benefit to all parties involved. Our relationships with all categories of wedding vendors make referral-based business our preferred method of growth.”

Support from local wedding industry stakeholders is needed, according to Evers, who explained that the wedding landscape has transformed post-pandemic. Couples are now looking for a more intimate setting rather than a large celebration, especially as the costs associated with hosting a large event continue to rise, she said.

“We’ve actually seen a lot of elopements lately,” Evers said. “It’s not like it was before COVID. It’s pretty rare that we have a big party for more than 12 people. We’ve also noticed a lot of people having random weddings on weekdays.”

Already in the midst of a busy 2024 season, the salon will reopen bookings for weddings for the coming year on September 1. This summer, 30 weddings are on the beauty salon’s schedule.

This year marks the salon’s 10th anniversary. Since opening in 2014, its team and services have expanded, from developing its own Fitger’s skincare line by an advanced practice esthetician to the upcoming launch of its new brand called Oribe at Pike Lake Beach Club Sip-n-Social this July.

Over the past 15 years, Northland Special Events has worked to create a vibrant and dynamic wedding industry in Duluth and throughout the Northland. Another brand will soon join the family with an announcement expected this summer, McKechnie hinted.

“We are committed to growing this wedding and events hub,” McKechnie said. “The local industry will continue to benefit many other businesses. We firmly believe that our ‘rising tides’ will continue to grow the wedding economy in our region.”