After one of the most difficult years in the company’s history, Charles Penzone Inc. is moving forward with a new look and a new salon.

“I know what we’ve been through this year and how excited we are to come out of it,” said President and CEO Debbie Penzone. “It’ll be the Roaring Twenties, that’s what they all say, and the human connection is going to be even more precious now.”

Penzone Salons has just announced the opening of a new location at 5751 N. Hamilton Road. The show is slated to open in early 2022 and will replace New Albany / Gahanna’s current location at 1356 Cherry Way Drive. The company also recently completed renovations to the German Village Lounge.

The new location has been in the works for years, said Penzone, who has worked in salons for 32 years. Efforts to rename the show began in 2018 with renovations to the Dublin show – one of Penzone Salons’ six Central Ohio locations.

“We really felt that was the way we wanted to move the concept forward – to reinvent the [Charles Penzone Grand Salon] day spa we were known for in the 90s, ”Penzone said. We wanted to go beyond that and become relevant again. “

In the new lounge, Penzone imagines guests enjoying a cocktail with a friend in one of the many open spaces, relaxing by the fireplace or soaking up the weather on one of the two outdoor patios. A bridal party can enjoy face masks in the beauty area, or maybe a guest will visit for a double manicure / pedicure.

Penzone also adds an increased emphasis on sensory experiences, many of which come from aromatherapy such as lavender hot towels and room sprays. Customers can also enjoy noise-canceling headphones with additional meditation rituals, which she has personally experienced in her yoga studio, Lit Life + Yoga.

Penzone also plans to create additional partnerships, similar to those offered in the past, such as the American Heart Association’s heart health conferences, fashion shows featuring local boutiques, and other team classes. of the salon, like how to shape the perfect forehead.

Penzone said the new lounge will also showcase features that have yet to be seen in other locations.

“We don’t want to just continue what we did in Dublin, Polaris or Short North,” she said.

Many additions to the new location are designed to reduce anxiety and stress and increase human connection as it becomes safe – changes suited to COVID-19. Penzone lounges closed a week before the state-mandated closure in 2020 and are still adjusting to the new standard.

“It’s been so tough for our industry, of course, nationally,” Penzone said. “I think the number was around 30 percent [of salons] went bankrupt because they just couldn’t survive. ”

Before the start of the pandemic, the first quarter of 2020 was the show’s most successful quarter in 52 years of history. Then came the coronavirus shutdowns. The company stayed afloat with a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program and supported staff on leave with interest-free loans. Demand resumed once the shows were able to reopen on May 15 on May 15. Current staffing levels are where they were in April 2019, Penzone said.

Having already survived ups and downs like the Great Recession, a period when Penzone was promoted to CEO, she was confident the team could move forward safely.

Penzone Salons has also recently renovated its location in the German Village.

Jess Deyo is Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the CEO of Columbus.