Leading Ladies of Pawtuxet Village Creative, dynamic, female-run businesses add to the Village’s unique character
Hair Stylist & Salon Owner
Yoga Teacher
“I have always loved the industry because of by ability to connect with people in a creative way,” says Melanie Mello, owner of Wil.O Hair Design in Pawtuxet Village. Melanie has been a salon owner for over 20 years, and is an educator for Oligo Proffessional. She has also attended academies like Vidal Sassoon and Toni & Guy. This year, she’s planning to host events like workshops and educational events at the salon. As Melanie says, “I love connecting with people, and helping to bring out the beauty in all of them.” 2910 Broad Street, Pawtuxet Village. 865-6011, WilOHair.com
For Debra Manera, owner of Essence Yoga, the practice is about more than just stretching. “I use yoga to help me balance my life,” she says. “Yoga won’t take away all the ‘stuff’ we have going on, but it will help us cope with it.” She opened her own studio not long after her dad’s passing. “He always encouraged me to live life to the fullest,” Debra says. Essence Yoga offers affordable daily yoga practice and body treatments, has classes for families to practice together, and often hosts community classes to benefit local nonprofits. “I don’t even call this a job, because teaching yoga is truly a gift for me.” 2178 Broad Street, Pawtuxet Village. 378-8197, EssenceYogaRI.com
Melanie Mello
Debra Manera
Gallery Owner & Arts Advocate
Jewelry Designer & Boutique Owner
A native of Mexico, Marta V. Martínez is the founder and Executive Director of Rhode Island Latino Arts, which just opened the state’s only Latino arts gallery, La Galería del Pueblo (The Village Gallery). “RILA promotes and preserves Latino arts, cultures, history and heritage in Rhode Island,” Marta says. “La Galeria has been a dream of mine for 10 years.” The gallery showcases visual arts, poetry, music and more, and is a community center for events, and a place for everyone to learn about Latino culture. “I’m proud of this organization and the impact it has made on the arts scene in Rhode Island.” 2154 Broad Street, Pawtuxet Village. 486-9095, LaGaleriaDelPuebloRI.org
When she opened Noon Design Shop with her best friend Maie, Nora Alexander made her dream a reality. Now, the jewelry designer co-owns three of the creative, all American-made shops, selling gifts, home items, and, of course, jewelry - all desiged in-house by Nora and the Noon team. It’s the kind of shop where you go to find an unusual gift, but you leave with something for yourself, too. “I’m so proud of being able to start a company with my best friend doing what we love and making it successful,” Nora says. She graduated from RISD with a degree in industrial design, and now makes her own beautiful objects for a living, in an environment that encourages creativity for everyone. “We have a truly amazing team of talented, creative ladies. It is so nice going to work everyday in a positive, inspirational environment.” Right now,
Jewelry Designer
Hair Stylist & Salon Owner
Book and Gift Store Owner
“I get to do something creative every day,” says jewelry designer and owner of ALPHA Studio Amie Louise Plante. She’s been metalsmithing and designing jewelry since graduating from RISD, and has won an artist award from the Art Jewelry Forum. Amie’s designs are inspired by nature. What makes them so unique is the combination of beautiful stones with metalwork. Amie offers private jewelry-making classes on request, and is participating in a Pawtuxet Village Bridal Stroll on April 1. “My goal is to be a source of creativity and inspiration through art, education and social events,” she says. 2154 Broad Street, Rear Building, Pawtuxet Village. 663-6941, AmiePlante.com
Dee Damian, owner of Bobby Pins Salon, has been in the industry for over 20 years. She started working at a salon in high school and immediately knew that this was her calling. She has been working at Bobby Pins, an Aveda concept salon, for 6 years, and became owner last September. At Bobby Pins, the products are 98% plant-derived. The eco-friendly salon offers complimentary hand and scalp massages with every service. “Our goal is for our clients to feel pampered and taken care of for a one-on-one experience,” says Dee. “I’m proud to be able to do what I love.” 2208 Broad Street, Pawtuxet Village. 461-3400, BobbyPinsRI.com
Who better to run a book and gift store than a retired professor? Karen Calkins purchased Twice Told Tales 22 years ago while she was still teaching college courses, and now runs the quaint Pawtuxet Village shop. Twice Told Tales has a room of gifts including Crabtree and Evelyn products, designer clothing, and jewelry by Trollbeads from Denmark and on-trend Spanish designer Uno de 50. The other room? Books, from floor to ceiling. “We support local artists, authors and musicians,” Karen says. “I love the thrill of finding unique gifts to sell in the store, and working with my talented sales staff.” 2145 Broad Street, Pawtuxet Village. 785-9599, TwiceToldTalesRI.com
Marta V. Martínez
Amie Louise Plante
Nora Alexander
Dee Damian
Ka Yan Kan, Nora Alexander, Mary Dolan, Caitlin Wiesen
Nora is working on finalizing her spring and summer line of new jewelry, tea towels and body products. “It’s pretty awesome,” she says. “Stay tuned!” 18 Post Road, Pawtuxet Village. 455-1222, NoonDesignShop.com
Karen Calkins
March 2017 | PROVIDENCE MONTHLY
35