Chez Ann Salon opens downtown location
Celebrates 20 years in Amherst
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor
As she celebrates the 20th anniversary of her first salon, Ann

Ann Freer-Caroll, owner of Chez Ann Salon, at her Williamsville location recently opened a downtown location — her second salon. Photo by John Rusac

Freer-Caroll also announces the opening of her second — in downtown Buffalo.

Chez Ann Salon in the City boasts a “heart of the action” location at 235 Delaware Ave., at Chippewa Street.

“It’s definitely where the pulse, the action of the city is,” Freer-Caroll said, adding that her downtown salon has a trendy design based on an industrial atmosphere but is still a warm, welcoming place.

Chez Ann Salon in the City offers haircuts, coloring, manicures and pedicures.

Freer-Caroll said she has known since she was 13 that she wanted to be a hair stylist and operate her own salon. The first Chez Ann opened in 1986 at Eggert Road and Millersport Highway.

In 1994 she moved to her current location at 5140 Main St., in the Walker Center. In the past 12 years she has watched her salon double in size.

Always pondering the opening of a second location, Freer-Caroll finally took the leap and opened Chez Ann Salon in the City on Nov. 13.

“I love change, and I felt as though it was time for a new project,” she said about opening the second salon. “It is consistently doing better with advertising and exposure. It’s a high traffic area.”

Freer-Caroll also said she has a great staff, currently at 35 in the Williamsville salon.

“The staff is so well-educated and focused on what they are doing,” she said, adding that the stylists continue to attend training.

As her clientele continued to grow, Freer-Caroll knew she wanted to have a second location instead of expanding the Williamsville location.

“It’s comfortable in here,” she said. “I never wanted to lose that personal touch.”

Chez Ann Salon on Main Street also offers spa treatments, which is unlike the city location. Laser hair removal, body wraps, massages, and manicures and pedicures are included in the services.

All of the services can be given as a present through a gift card available at both locations.

Freer-Caroll said most of the staff works in both locations, and she splits her time between the two.

It was the experienced staff and success at the Williamsville location that prompted Freer-Caroll to open her second salon. She said the response to Chez Ann Salon in the City has been good.

The Delaware Avenue location can be reached at 852-5252, and the Main Street location at 632-2258.

Hours of operation for the Williamsville salon are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Downtown hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.