"Newbury Street-style" Salon Coming to Old Jamaicaway Books Space

Outside the red and green checked facade of what was once , a woman walking by stops to ask the new owner of the storefront, Jennifer Lydon, what was going inside.

Lydon explains that within a month, the stripped interior of 676 Centre St. will house the two-floored, ten-chaired Q Salon and Spa, offering care for hair, nails, skin, and also massage.  She plans to expand services after the salon has been open a few months, but she doesn’t want to “tip her hand.”

When the passer-by inquires whether it will be a Newbury Street-type salon, Lydon said, “It will offer the same quality services, with JP service.”

So far the salon is empty, but Lydon, who has 22 years of experience as a hairdresser, said, “What comes in - the chairs and mirrors - is what makes the salon.”

Q Salon and Spa will specialize in all types of hair, white, black, and Latino.

“We will encompass all the fabric of JP,” said Lydon, “Whatever you are, we will be able to handle you.”

Despite the tough economic climate, for Lydon this was the right time in her life to open her own salon.

“If ever there was a place to do this its Jamaica Plain,” she said, “JP takes care of JP.”

“They really like their local businesses,” she added, “and want them to flourish.”  

She hopes to open between Dec. 1 and Dec. 15.

[Editor's note: Lydon's name was misspelled in the initial posting of this item.]