After working together for many years, Tina Rager and Melanie Kennedy have opened a hair salon in downtown Niles, Luminous Hair Spa.
Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Longtime friends and Niles residents Tina Rager and Melanie Kennedy have opened a new hair salon in downtown Niles.

Luminous Hair Spa, 222 N. Front St., across from Riverfront Cafe, is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and by appointment only Saturday.

The best chance to get to know Niles’ newest business owners is during their grand opening celebration Aug. 16-17. They will be offering a free shampoo and style, refreshments and prizes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 16 and from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 17.

Fun and trendy

Rager and Kennedy each have more than eight years of experience in the hairstyle business, including, most recently, another salon in downtown Niles.

Going into business together felt natural.

“We realized that we both wanted the same things for the image of the salon,” Kenney said. “We are trying to be a little bit trendier and fun.”

“It will be upbeat with the music and everything else,” Rager said. “We want to keep people in this area instead of traveling out.”

They offer haircuts, color and waxing. They carry Aquage products and feature Redken color.

Rager is a 1996 graduate of Niles High School and Kennedy is a 1996 graduate of Buchanan High School.

They met while working at an area restaurant and later attended beauty school together. They said they believe in continuing to learn about the industry and have attended educational opportunities in New York, Dallas and Los Angeles.

Luminous is located in the former Lace Dance and Fitness studio.

They have two employees, but another should be coming on soon.

Check out their page on Facebook for specials and more information.

Call the salon at (269) 684-8222. They are taking appointments for the grand opening celebration. Walk-ins will be accepted at the grand opening as well.

The salon officially opened in July.