business

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Illinois’ shutdown to all but essential businesses from late March to late May put many small businesses in a precarious position.

Not all survived.

The Woodstock list of businesses that folded includes DeWane Studio, Uptown Salon, Picked Emporium, Soul Focus, and most recently, The Gilded Acorn.

In a hopeful sign of new life, a new hair salon, Lily Rayne Beauty Bar, opened last week at 103 E. Judd St., with a retail space that features products from Savior World, formerly located in the Woodstock Square Mall.

Hair stylist Kylie Schulemann is the daughter-in-law of Natasha Martinez. For five years at Savior World, Martinez sold Fair Trade, handmade, local, organic, and sustainable products for personal use, pets, and the home.

“It was going pretty well until March,” Martinez said.

She closed the store in September, but continued online sales, at the same time daughter-in-law Schulemann gave birth to daughter Lily Rayne.

Schulemann had been a hair stylist for two years, sharing a leased space with her best friend who was moving to a different location.

“I’ve always wanted my own salon,” Schulemann said. “The lease coming up for renewal was a sign to go ahead and do it.”

Family members decided to create “a one-stop shop” where clients could “get their hair done and buy gifts,” Martinez said.

“I like a family feel,” Schulemann said of the combination business plan.

Martinez, who has a sideline in real estate, scoured the retail listings for available space and an affordable rent on or near the Woodstock Square.

“I love the ambiance of the Square,” Martinez said.

The spot on Judd Street was not only near Martinez’s Woodstock home, it had previously housed Lupita’s Hair Studio, so the plumbing fixtures were in place for the salon.

In addition to haircuts, Schulemann said, she specializes in coloring services, in particular “blonde balayage,” which promises a natural look even when grown out. She also offers tapein extensions and facial waxing.

“Kylie is not your typical hairdresser,” Martinez said.

Martinez said her daughter-in-law gauged her clients well, sensing who’d like to chat and who enjoys quiet.

“I mostly like to listen,” Schulemann said.

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Oct. 26-28. ■ Residence at 2281 Preswick Lane, Woodstock, was sold by D.R. Horton, Inc., - Midwest, Vernon Hills, to Kenneth J. Johnson, Woodstock, for $289,990. ■ Residence at 334 Hutchins Court, Unit 334, Woodstock, was sold by William J. Pokorny and Mary E. Pokorny, Phoenix, Ariz., to June C. Kurchina, Woodstock, for $150,000. ■ Residence at 2301 Linden Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Richard Sarcinelli Sr., Buffalo Grove, to Kathryn M. Lobough, Woodstock, for $93,000. ■ Residence at 2108 Edgewood Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Brent D. Marsh, Woodstock, to Natalie Brown, Woodstock, for $320,000. ■ Vacant land, approximately 14 acres, at corner of Route 176 and Route 47, Woodstock, was sold by MS Investment Group, Peoria, to Central Illinois Real Estate Holdings LLC, Series, SH1, Peoria, for $8,771. ■ Residence at 4312 McCauley Road, Woodstock, was sold by The Donald B. Sword Trust Number One, Woodstock, to Daniel C. Corcoran, Woodstock, for $325,000. ■ Residence at 1164 Greenwood Circle, Woodstock, was sold by Craig R. Christensen, Tucson, Ariz., to Judith A. Hauff, Woodstock, for $115,000. ■ Residence at 1200 Timothy Lane, Woodstock, was sold by The Brian L. Kierna Revocable Trust, Rolling Meadows, to Austen E. Wiedel, Woodstock, for $282,500. ■ Residence at 1558 Fox Sedge Trail, Woodstock, was sold by Michael Samakouris, Woodstock, to Ryan Holohan, Woodstock, for $263,186. ■ Residence at 704 Raffel Road, Woodstock, was sold by Joseph and Mary Kirkpatrick, Navarre, Fla., to Mary Cadieux, Woodstock, for $230,000.

putting on her body.

She began by making soap, using only essential oils that were then becoming popular.

Her best seller has been the Ginger Hippie soap, and she carries 70 different varieties of essential oils, as well as face creams and lip balms.

“I like products that are made out of other things,” Martinez said.

That includes purses and wallets upcycled from old tires, and macrame crafted from old jeans.

Organic T-shirts, crystals, and Fair Trade and handmade jewelry round out the list of retail items.

“I try to carry products that are in everybody’s price range,” Martinez said, “and products that you won’t find anywhere else.”

On Schulemann’s side of the business, clients can buy organic and vegan hair care products under the ORESTA and Amika brand names.

Schulemann said she will eventually sell brushes, blow dryers, and other hair tools.

Having a big space to walk around and plenty of retail to look at enhances the experience for her clients, Schulemann said.

At times when Martinez can’t be in

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

the store, Schulemann can cover for her.

“We’re a good complement to one another,” Martinez said.

After acquiring the Judd Street space on Jan. 1, the process of getting ready for a Jan. 13 opening moved briskly.

“Long days,” Schulemann said.

With the help of Schulemann’s husband, Lucas, one wall was removed, other walls were painted, and a thorough cleaning undertaken.

Lucas did all of the woodworking, including building the shampoo bar and new shelves.

Martinez and Kylie Schulemann knew they wanted a midcentury modern feel in the space, and they texted photos of their shopping finds to one another, scoring several items at ReStore in Woodstock.

“It’s very much a family affair,” Martinez said.

Lily Rayne Beauty Bar, featuring Savior World products, is open Wednesday through Saturday. The shop’s phone is 815-308-5182; Schulemann’s clients can also call or text her at 224-281-2838.

With young children at home, Lupita’s Hair Studio owner Maria Arenas wanted to create a better balance of family and work time, which led to her decision to create a home-based business.

At the beginning of the year, she opened her salon at 110 N. Madison St. She has owned the business on Judd Street for six years.

“It was a perfect time for me to move out from Maria there,” Arenas Arenas said.

Arenas works by appointment only for her services, which include haircuts, coloring, waxes, and make-up application. Lupita’s Hair Studio can be reached at 815-527-7069.