Blackhawk Salon Closes Its Doors

Salon Forty Sixty Two has cut its last locks of hair, at least in Blackhawk Plaza.

The doors to the upscale salon were abruptly closed this week for unspecified reasons.

Surprised customers were greeted Tuesday by a sign on the door from a Los Angeles law firm representing the landlord, Blackhawk Centercal.

The letter warned the salon owners to not remove any fixtures inside or law enforcement would be called. It stated another salon would be moving in and the fixtures had to stay.

Inside, a representative of the landlord supervised a cleaning crew.

A message left on the salon's voice mail for Salon Forty Sixty Two's owners, Jamie and Adrian Schabbing and Denica and Chris Ruggieri, was not returned.

Betsy Penson, manager of Centercal, said in an email she couldn't comment on why Salon Forty Sixty Two closed or whether the shop owners left on their own or were told to vacate.

She did say the plaza owners expect tenants to meet certain standards.

"Blackhawk Centercal has been a supportive partner for our merchants, investing in build outs and working with stores on terms to help them succeed," Penson wrote. "However, if stores do not show positive growth, we receive repeated complaints regarding the service or quality of product or they have inadequate merchandise, we reach a point where, for the benefit of our shoppers and other tenants, we need to make a change."

Leigh Chronister, a salon customer who showed up Tuesday, said she was surprised by the closure.

"It's sad they left. They were so conventiently located," said Chronister, a Blackhawk resident.

Chronister added she has heard that plaza rents are high and some tenants have had trouble renegotiating their leases.

She noted stores such as Restoration Hardware and Jeffrey Scott Books have recently closed, as has a yogurt shop.

According to reviews on Yelp, another spa Ruggieri was associated with, Jellyfish Spa, also in the plaza, was closed as of Aug. 11.

Jeneffer Jones, a plaza customer, said she would like to see more restaurants, cafes and less expensive shops in the plaza to bring in more customers.

"I think they need to figure out who their customers are and cater to that," said Jones.

Penson said the plaza is having a healthy year economically and is welcoming new stores in the coming months.

"We are remerchandising, bringing in more productive stores, improving selection and are very optimistic about the future," wrote Penson. "Many businesses are having their best year and with new stores opening we expect our best holiday yet."

She noted Blackhawk Beauty opened last week and inSpa opened this week. She said Apricot Lane is opening in mid-November as well as a Roti 8 restaurant and Chocolatier Blue.

"We expect an announcement soon on a new, better salon tenant," Penson added.