After spending 37 years working for one company, Karen Gitter took on semi-retirement and opened Copper Leaf Salon & Framing in New London.
“It was always kind of a dream of mine to do a different venture,” Gitter said. “… I’ve done framing as a hobby for years so I decided to see if I could work that into a business. There wasn’t another frame shop in town so I thought that might work. The salon was a nice combination because it gives me another business, two things working together.”
The salon portion of the business opened in April.
Gitter described the salon as having an upscale, yet vintage feel, offering a relaxing atmosphere. The salon offers full service hair and nail services. Tanning may be added next year.
Kris Kimball provides hair and nail services. She has 25 years of experience as an independent hair stylist. She offers colors, highlights, haircuts, chi environment treatments, smoothing treatments, hair accessories including babe feather extensions, and babe lead free shine strands. She also carries Bain de Tere, Nioxin, Biosilk and Eufora products.
Gitter said she would like to add more hair stylists to the salon.
“I am looking for additional girls to rent to work in the salon because I do have some space available and we’re busy enough that we could use more people,” Gitter said.
Included are the full amenities of a salon — utilities and laundry, Gitter said.
Gitter is also a L’BRI Pure n’ Natural consultant. She said she plans to host beauty days each month at the salon to give customers the opportunity to try and order products. Samples of the products will be available.
The framing portion of the business opened, Wednesday, Sept. 10. It offers custom picture matting and framing, framing updates, new and vintage frames for sale, and pictures for sale.
After doing custom framing as a hobby for years, Gitter is excited to turn it into a business.
“I enjoy helping customers frame that special picture, keepsake, poster or other pieces,” Gitter said.
She said the response has been good so far, and she is trying to get the word out about Copper Leaf Salon & Framing.
“I’m not quite ready to fully retire but after working at one company for all my life I really wanted to do something different for the next 10 years or so until I actually retire,” Gitter said. “I thought this would be something I really enjoy. I thought New London was a good area.”
Other items available at Copper Leaf Salon & Framing include hand knitted items such as scarves, boot toppers, mug cozies and coasters, as well as jewelry.