WALLINGFORD — Six months after a car accident closed a town salon, its owner has announced M Salon and Spa won’t be reopening after all.
Salon owner Maria Ascenzia made the announcement on social media that it’s been determined that they won’t be able to reopen after the May accident led to what was thought at the time would be a temporary closure.
On May 2, shortly before 11 a.m. a car crashed into the salon, located in a shopping center at 1114 North Colony Road. None of the salon employees or customers were injured, nor was the 79-year-old driver, but the building was substantially damaged as the car landed more than 60 feet into the salon, impacting the reception area and several styling chairs.
After the accident, Ascenzia, who has owned the business for more than 20 years, worked with other salons to find space for her stylists so they could accommodate their clients. But her spa employees had a harder time finding space to work because there are few salons that also offer spa serves as M Salon and Spa did.
The accident came right as businesses were recovering from Covid, which led to shutdowns, especially for businesses like hair salons that come in close contact with customers. Ascenzia also told the Record-Journal that her insurance carrier informed her that it would be a complicated process to get the claim done and the money released. Ascenzia couldn’t be reached for comment Saturday.
In a Facebook post Thursday, Ascenzia informed her customers that they would not be reopening.
“Our priority is to inform you first, as we consider you family and dear friends at M,” she wrote. It has been an extremely difficult six months and this decision was not one that we wanted to make. Since the circumstances surrounding the unforeseen accident at the salon, we were left with very few options but to close the doors of M. Salon and Spa.”
She urged her customers to continue to patronize her stylists who are now working out of other salons in the area. “We ask that you continue to support our amazing service providers at their new homes,” she said.
She also expressed her appreciation for the support from her customers both throughout her 21-year run and since the accident closed the salon.
“We want to first thank you all for your love, support, and understanding throughout this challenging process,” she said. M. Salon and Spa has been our passion and home away from home. It has been a privilege and joy to know and work with you over the past 21 years.
“We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your support throughout the years. We are incredibly proud of all we have accomplished in these glorious years and could not be more thankful to those who have believed and invested in us.”
She closed with words from the A.A. Milne character Winnie-the-Pooh.
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
The salon is selling furniture, lighting, equipment, decor and computers in an “everything must go” sale that started Sunday and continues on Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors are instructed to use the rear entrance. Purchases are cash only and bringing your own tools is recommended for removing equipment.