BEAUTY & RELAXATION
2019
F re d e r i c k
New York, New York Hair Salon and Day Spa Mary Louise Riser Frederick had few hair salons in 1986 when Mary Louise Riser and her husband, Charles, moved their family from downtown Washington, D.C. to Boonsboro. Mary Louise wasted little time, calling on her nearly three decades of experience as a hairstylist at a trendy Capitol Hill salon to scout locations for a new salon in Frederick. After months of design work, Mary Louise opened New York, New York Hair Salon in Frederick in February 1987, determined to build a new salon experience for guests. “I was determined to build out the space as I had envisioned it, regardless of what the architect would say, always focused on the guest experience,” she said. Mary Louise’s concept was new to the region: “I wanted to create a high fashion space, where women and men could come and receive more than just a haircut. I wanted people to walk out thinking, ‘Wow, that was an incredible experience.’”
The small staff of six quickly grew, and so did the building, doubling its size by 1991. In 2000, Mary Louise oversaw the renovation of the lower level of New York, New York into a high-end day spa, expanding the list of service options to the largest in the region. In 2016, with the same determination, Mary Louise renovated an 8,000 square-foot mansion on Market Street as the salon’s new home. “The contractors would say ‘no’ and I would say ‘yes,’” she said. “I reminded them we are building a truly unique experience for Frederick County residents and I accepted nothing short of perfection.” Now a staple of the Frederick community, New York, New York is at the forefront of the beauty industry, always with a guestcentric approach. Mary Louise now proudly resides over a staff of 35 employees. The Riser family has also made an indelible mark on the community with their generosity, caring and entrepreneurial spirit.
1201 N. Market St., Frederick • 301.695.7777 • nynyhair.com
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