MORGANTOWN — Jessica Kwaitkowski and Rachel Dower attended school together at Morgantown High School.
But it wasn’t until years later when the pair were working together as cosmetologists at a Cheat Lake area hair salon did they become friends — best friends that is.
“We always had a desire to go out on our own,” Kwaitkowski said. “The pandemic caused us to take stock and it became a now or never moment.”
Added Dower: “We have always worked well together and agree on most things. We also communicate.”
On Feb. 2, the two friends, who both have worked as hair stylists in Morgantown for more than 10 years, opened Cooper James, a full-service hair salon at 13 Cheat Landing by Chestnut Ridge Church. The salon’s name are the middle names of the owners’ 4year-old sons, Julian James Kwaitkowski and Jonathan Cooper Dower.
“We want to be someplace by the Interstate because of all of the traffic,” she said. “Something convenient.”
Cooper James will offer services found at most hair salons — haircuts and styling, hair coloring, waxing and skincare and hair extensions. Products that can be purchased at the Cheat Lake salon include Milbon shampoo and moisturizers, Keratin Complex coloring products and shampoo, Moroccanoil, DevaCurl, and Alfaparf Milano, an Italian hair care and styling products line.
Because Kwaitkowski and Dower are opening their salon during the COVID-19 pandemic, extra precautions have been taken. Their chairs, including those of their two extra stylists, have been spaced far enough apart for social distancing.
Kwaitkowski said special HVAC have been installed, plus there will be a limited number of people allowed inside the salon at any one time.
Cooper James is closed Sunday and Monday. It is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.n. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations can be made on the salon’s web site, www.cooperjamessalon.com.
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