Christian Roberts refreshing look

NORWALK — New owners of a longstanding business hope they can stand out as a cut above the rest. "We want to be the No. 1 salon and spa in Ohio," co-owner Ed Hoty said. "And we are going to do it through education, modernization and marketing." Along with his wife, Weazy, the Hotys recently acquired Christian Roberts Salon & Spa on West Seminary Street in uptown Norwalk. They purchased the business, which opened in 1996, from Lisa and Matthew Herner. "We love the property, and we were looking for one more venture to do together," said Ed, noting the entrepreneurial spouses own local real estate properties along with Jolly Roger's Seafood House in Port Clinton. "We like the whole building: the brick, the wood, the character. Everything." But the actual structure needed a facelift. After taking ownership, this summer, the Hotys began an overhaul process to update the building and salon offerings. Most notably, they: • Redid, revamped and installed new floors, walls, lighting and shelving • Renovated the first floor, getting ready to implement new appliances and amenities, such as shampoo bowls, dryers, cabinets and a point-of-sales operation so employees can more efficiently execute payments for goods and services • Began plans to establish a medispa, which will feature botox, IV drips, hair loss and extension treatments, among other services, on the top floor of this four-story building • Introduced hyrdafacials, which can exfoliate, cleanse and extract dirt, debris and impurities from skin through hydration Though the Hotys, who live in Huron, stressed some important aspects customers have come to appreciate won't change. For starters, they desire for each staff member, about 55 in total, to stay on during this transition. "They are all awesome," Ed said. "When we came on board, they were all very welcoming and great to work with. They are really a family here." And the services — like haircuts, extensions, highlights, manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, among many others — will remain intact. The Hotys just want to expand on current offerings. "No matter what you get, we strive to have the best services," Ed said. "If you come here, you will get first-class service. We are also pursuing more education with our staff so that they can keep improving." People can visit the salon six days a week, Mondays through Saturdays, and should schedule an appointment before arriving. They can do so by calling the guest services line. "We are happy to invest here in Norwalk, which has been very pro-business and supportive of us," Ed said. "And we're thankful for the people here, everyone in town, who have also been very supportive of us." What's in a name How did the name Christian Roberts Salon & Spa come to be? • The part "Roberts" comes from former owner Matthew Herner's dad's first name, Robert. • The part "Christian" pays homage to the past owners' religion, Christianity. • The part "salon and spa" underscores what this business specializes in.