New beauty shop in Roselle has a little kick to it

A new Roselle salon is making sure patrons looking to mix their manicures with their martinis can get the best of both worlds.

But be warned.

Sure, the hair styling, facial treatments and other pampering can go on for hours at Xentrik Beauty Lounge. But there's a two-drink limit at the bar.

"Some clients will just come in and visit," said Gina Ranier, a hair stylist at the salon, 460 Lake St. "They'll have a drink and it will help them mingle more."

Cari Johnson, a Roselle resident who's been cutting hair for 21 years, opened the salon on New Year's Eve. She's spent the last few months building a client base and ironing out the kinks of the new business.

A grand opening party for Xentrik is planned for May 16.

"I think women need an excuse to get out of the house," Johnson said.

In addition to the pedicures, massages and facial treatments, the salon offers four different types of wines and five martini drink varieties.

The concept isn't exactly the first of its kind.

Cosmos Beauty Bar got the go-ahead two years ago to open a similar salon in downtown Glen Ellyn. And in researching her business plan, Johnson said she found similar salons in Las Vegas and California.

Roselle Mayor Gayle Smolinski said Johnson first contacted her about a year ago to make sure the village wasn't opposed to the idea of selling liquor in a hair salon.

"We contacted the development director in Glen Ellyn to see if there were any issues with" Cosmos, Smolinski said. "She wanted to be on the cutting edge (and) created a wonderful atmosphere."

Lynn McAteer first visited Xentrik last week after she and some friends won a school fundraiser's raffle prize to spend a day getting pampered at the salon.

"Cari closed off the store for us, and we brought in food," McAteer said. "That was the ultimate experience. I could do that every day."