A friend group of three Concord natives is opening a salon, spa and a combined DIY and retail shop out of the space that used to be Peter’s Images salon on the corner of Warren and North State streets, with a grand opening held Friday afternoon.

“It’s all because of Paulette,” said Karin Lord, owner of Moon Babes Salon and Boutique. “She’s the glue.”

Paulette “Polly” Boghosian, owner of Who Doesn’t Want That, the retail space that was Creative Works & Uncommon Wares, said the owner of the building asked her if she knew anyone who was looking for a salon space.

Boghosian knew the owner from being embedded in the Concord community. She got old friends Lord and Malissa Blasdell, an esthetician and spa operator, together and they have been working to create separate spaces for each business.

Though retail, DIY and a salon and spa sound like an eclectic mix, the retail and DIY shop has its own entrance and is relatively separate from the salon and spa. The women explained that if hair or spa clients bring their children in, it would be a good place to keep them busy.

They’re thrilled to be occupying the corner space.

“It’s great to be in such a place that everybody knows, you know?” Lord said.

Inside the main corner entrance is Moon Babes. It will be Lord’s first venture in business ownership, though she’s rented a booth as a hairstylist for years, which she said was very similar to owning her own business.

She’s excited to be opening her first salon and hopes that the redesign of the space will create a welcoming environment. Some of the changes include freshly painted mauve walls, eliminating some booths to make it feel open and spacious and moving around shelves to let all the natural light in through the tall, street-facing windows.

“I just really want to focus on hospitality and making people feel comfortable,” said Lord. “There are a lot of salons in Concord, so it’s kind of like I just want to stand out being kind of artsy but relaxed.”

Tucked away in the back of the salon, behind a pair of ornate doors, is the spa area with massage and pedicure rooms. Malissa Blasdell, esthetician and owner of Earth Maid Organic Day Spa and Soap Shop, has been selling her natural soaps and cosmetic products at the Concord Farmer’s Market for 26 years. She’s owned and been involved in many salons and retail spaces.

Blasdell is looking forward to working with licensed technicians, masseurs and estheticians as contractors this time around.

Boghosian opened a retail space on Main Street by the same name in October 2019, which was unfortunately a pandemic casualty.

Since then she’s been running her business out of her home, selling beads and beading supplies, DIY kits and merch named similarly to her Instagram and TikTok handles, ITSMEPOLLYB, for her online persona “Polly B.” Boghosian posts “comedy reaction” and Gen-X content.

The new location on Warren Street will have stickers and pins that were best sellers at her previous location, along with the array of items she’s been selling from home as well and a station where shoppers can make their own DIY beaded pens, bracelets and key chains.

Part of opening the retail and DIY space was nostalgia: The three reminisced about a store that used to be downtown where there were things for kids to do, called Pip and Whatever. They all used to collect stickers in sticker books.

Boghosian is excited to move her business out of the house and collaborate with her friends. She finds being her own boss rewarding.

“I like working for myself because I like to work hard, and when I get the money, I know I earned it,” said Boghosian. “I’m not just giving to someone else to go buy a yacht.”

The friends laughed when asked about potential business stressors on their friendship. They said knowing each other as long as they have, communication is completely open.

They also bring different things to the table: Boghosian is more fiery and direct, Lord will encourage a thoughtful step back and Blasdell is, as she puts it, “sensitive” and can bring the other two together emotionally.

They added that though they work well together, it was important for the businesses to stay independent – the plan is not to combine into one.

The three are all rooting for each other and are excited to collaborate as women-owned small businesses, especially in such a “perfect” space.

“We’re working the corner,” joked Boghosian. “In a good way!”