Fresh Face New Space: C.S. Cultivate
Several years ago I worked as Director of The Beauty Institute in Coeur d'Alene (currently Toni and Guy Hairdressing Academy) and met Christine Gwin. Christine was a kind and eager student, a professional among future professionals, a mother, and a woman my age I could relate to. As in life, beauty school can be filled with drama, yet peace seemed to follow Christine, which I believe to be one of the wonderful qualities women bring to their industries when we re-emerge into careers after years of mothering and leading within our homes. After years of experience, when I heard Christine was co-opening a boutique salon downtown, I was thrilled. If there is one thing every woman wants to feel while having a service, it is peace. Congrats, Christine and Shelley!
Dreams Do Come True and they have for Christine Gwin and Shelley Bowen, the owners of the newest boutique salon in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Opening up a hair salon during the year of a global pandemic was not on the radar of either one. But, sometimes an opportunity presents itself and it just feels right to take that leap of faith.
Christine and Shelley have been friends for close to 15 years and have always shared a passion for the arts, design, hair, fashion and a great glass of wine. Both women stayed home to raise their children when they were young. But, always had a dream of some day when the kids were older opening a business together.
Enter, the Rockford Building. While meeting up for coffee and camaraderie one Monday morning in May of 2020 they spontaneously decided to stroll on over to Christine’s favorite building in the downtown area, 504 E. Lakeside Ave. also known as the newly renovated Rockford Building. Once inside they noticed that studio 10 was newly vacant.
They followed the natural light beaming through the windows of the last door on the left and knew instantly this had to be their salon. Within a week they took a big leap of faith and signed a lease. Construction began immediately and by August 1st, they had their first soft opening.
