FraJean Salon & Spa Closes After 10 Years, But Staff Moves Only 10 Blocks Away
It’s never good news to hear about a successful business that is closing, but as of late we’ve had a series of stories about business owners who just felt it was time to say goodbye. As of recent, Leslie McKeown of Poppy, Lisa Polansky, and Susan Choi of Loom called it quits on their own terms.
Jean Sopinko, owner of FraJean Salon & Spa (69 7th Avenue between Lincoln and Berkeley Places) told us she will be closing her business on Saturday, October 24. And it’ll also be on her own terms as well.
“It has been a great ten years, I’ve met fantastic people, but I’m tired now, and want to have fun.”
Sopinko is also a neighbor, having lived with her husband in Park Slope for 17 years.
But before Sopinko officially closed, she felt she had an important responsibility. “I had to find jobs for my staff.”
The stylists at FraJean will move about 10 blocks up to Michael Hair Studio (295 7th Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets). “He’ll do right by them,” says Sopinko who’s very happy that they will not have their careers interrupted by her closing.
Sopinko tells us she is donating salon furniture to the organization Hour Children, which according to their website, “help[s] incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children successfully rejoin the community.”
When we asked what she’ll miss the most, she responds immediately. “FraJean Dining Society, definitely.” She describes the dining society as a monthly dinner in the neighborhood with clients from the salon. “We try a different local restaurant each month,” she tells us. “I’ll miss it a lot, because I feel so close to my clients.”
