Beauty salon prepares for scavenger hunt

Paige Svesnik runs the event from her Charleroi shop to promote other local businesses.

A scavenger hunt sponsored by a newly rebranded beauty salon will allow participants at dozens of local businesses Saturday to help out a good cause.

Paige Svesnik owns Echo Beauty Salon on Fallowfield Avenue in Charleroi. A longtime stylist, she bought the building and business from its former owner, Susan Jo, earlier this year after working at the salon since 2020.

“Without Susan Jo it felt weird to be going by that name, so the rebrand was our way of finally feeling like it was ours, separating ourselves from another successful business person and feeling like it was my own,” Svesnik said.

A lot of work has been done inside the shop, but the atmosphere happened accidentally a long time ago when she brought home a houseplant her husband wasn’t able to care for so she brought it to work.

“It kind of just grew from there and I will say all of the plants do make it more homey and make people feel comfortable and relaxed, so the aesthetic just happened organically,” she said.

The name pays homage to her maiden name, Echols, and it has a deeper meaning.

“Echo is the first four letters of my maiden name, and honestly, it just felt right because echo means so many different things,” she said. “For us it is about echoing someone’s inner beauty and not just making them look great, but to feel great on the inside too.”

While opening and rebranding the salon has had its share of stressful moments, Svesnik has found support from long-time clients and other businesses in the area who have supported her along the way.

In an effort to give back and help support other local businesses, she decided it was time to bring back the salon’s scavenger hunt, which was held on a smaller scale for the first time in 2021.

Things will look different this time around, as the salon prepares for its third and largest scavenger hunt.

It started in 2021 on Galentine’s Day (a day for women to celebrate their friendships), and was a hit so they hosted another that fall in the form of an adult trick-ortreat.

“I started this scavenger hunt as a way to promote local businesses because the community has done so much for me in the short amount of time I have been involved with it,” Svesnik said.

The event, which is open to everyone, promises a day of fun, prizes and community spirit.

It starts at noon Saturday on the salon’s social media page. To participate, follow @706echobeauty and watch the stories posted to find clues in the pictures to determine the location of a participating business.

If you think you know the spot, hop in your car and show up. If you’re the first person to arrive, you’ll receive two tickets that can be later used at an auction at Vinoski Winery in Rostraver Township.

Anyone who shows up after the first person to identify the location will receive one ticket.

Each business involved will have their own rules and independent contests to earn more tickets.

The River House Cafe, Falling Petal, Wildflower Nail Club, Mexi Taco, Marbill Diamonds & Jewelry, Perked Up Cafe, Off the Wall Arts, Broad Avenue Treasures, Vinoski Winery, Connected Permanent Jewelry, Air Accents by Donna Fero, Backing to the Macs, Creations by Maddy, Mon Valley Independent, Panda Wares, Pet Supplies Plus, Emporium, Domenico’s on Grand, The Back Porch, Speer Street Grill, Prima Diva Boutique, Little City Coffee, Golden Hour Beauty Co., Foster House II, Fresh Fuel Cafe, Bentleyville Sedation Dentistry and Crooked Creek Distillery are all participating. After all the locations have been found, Vinoski Winery is the hunt’s final destination.

Anyone who shows up with a donation for Mon Valley Paws will receive an additional ticket to be used in the gift basket auction.

SWPA Pugs with Special Needs, As They Come Animal Rescue, White Oak Animal Safe Haven and Pet Adoption League have each already made individual donations to that cause.

Tickets for basket auction items can submitted at the winery from 4 to 9 p.m. when winners will be announced.

“Our goal is to bring the community together and showcase the amazing small businesses that makes our city unique,” Svesnik said. “We’re inviting everyone to join us for a day of excitement, prizes, and most importantly, support for our local economy.”

For more information, call Echo Beauty Salon at 724483-6550.