A salon for young ‘princesses’ to open in Annandale
 |
| The future home of Princess’land. |
Princess’land, a spa for girls at 7224 Columbia Pike, could open within the next few weeks, says owner Melissa Ochoa.
It will offer such services as hair styling, manicures, pedicures, facials, and makeovers for kids age 4-18. Princess’land will also host special events, such as birthday parties; bridal and baby showers; quinceañeras; and sweet sixteen parties, proms, and graduation parties.
Ochoa, a resident of Annandale, has worked in salons, specializing in facials. Princess’land is her first business.
The salon will be in the building formerly occupied by Annandale Florist, which closed in 2012, after serving the community for 45 years.
Princess’land will be housed in part of the building, the one-story structure facing Maple Street. The other section, fronting on Columbia Pike, is available for lease.
Ochoa plans to offer gift certificates to a handful of girls with straight As. Details will be posted on the Pincess’land website.
Meanwhile, Ochoa is looking for someone with experience to help with marketing and advertising. If you’re interested, contact her at [email protected].
23 responses to “A salon for young ‘princesses’ to open in Annandale”
Leave a reply
Grade school kids don't get straight A's anymore, they get graded in about 50 categories on a scale of 1-4.
Neither do 4 year olds.
Oh, god. Another haven for people preening their youngest for a lifetime of thinking they're not good enough as-is and that their appearance matters A LOT.
Think I'm over-reacting? Check out the photos on this company's website. My personal favorites are the "Pamper Me Pretty" flyer and the pre-teen posing provocatively upside down on what looks like a BED. Our society's obsession with appearance and sexuality already takes a toll on adults. Please don't push it on your girls.
i think you should be more carefully of what you talk to business that even not open yet i think youre over reacting how you can imaginated that the girl in the picture was provocative and looks like a bed she even its not a teen notice that she its a little girl i dont get you point i understand your opinion, but i dont like the way you're talking also you have a big imagination for think all what you said hopefully once they open you dont assist there good luck and clean your mind that would be great ………………
I am in general bothered by the over-princessification of young girls today, but I am even more bothered by that apostrophe. Why is there an apostrophe in "Princess'land"?!
I am too. The spelling is cringeworthy, making the whole business seem trashy and lowbrow. Ruins the whole thing. Just name it Princess Land.
The owner intended, I assume, to make Princess'land singular possessive. I might have called it Princesses'Land to make it plural possessive so as to include all the little girls. To further simplify, I might have named the business Princess Land. In any event, I hope the little ladies have a wonderful time. Sounds like fun.
Are you guys kidding me right now? The intension behind the name it's so that these young girls feel like a princess on their special day (birthday). Some of you women and men act way more entitled on a regular basis! Society now a days are so focused in finding the wrong in everything, I think it's an amazing idea that on a little girls birthday parents can just give them a spa day and not have to worry on throwing a huge party where they will for sure waste a lot of money! Instead here you are giving them an experience. Imagine if us as grown women are frowned upon because we like to enjoy a spa day? Doesn't make sense does it? Why should it be a "bad" thing for young girls to experience mini spa days like their mommies and know they deserve it on their special day. Who gives a damn about the spelling and in addition I am besides myself at the amount of people who like to take time out to write negative comments on a soon to open business, how many of you shit talkers have opened one in their mid 20's? Get a life! To the woman who commented on photos being "sexualized" only a sick individual would think of that and Iquestion you as a person? Hhhhmmm
Above you ask "who gives a damn about the spelling" of the new business. It's very important that the business name reflects the services being offered (your's does) without confusion (your's doesn't). If someone questions the spelling of the business name before the business opens, consider it an an excellent opportunity to determine if the name is a good fit. Also, a lot of people open businesses in their mid 20s.
a lot of people open businesses in their mid 20's, sure they do! The question was do you own your own business or anyone here who is commenting negatively? If anyone wanted to offer good advice in a constructive manner than all of you would of worded things differently! However you guys are so negative and instead of helping young entrepreneurs you all come here to be nosey and dissect absolutely everything. Sounds like you need a hobby.
Dear 9:13 PM spelling stickler. You misspelled "yours." Twice. And it would be, "…that the business name reflect…", because "reflect" is in the Present Subjunctive. And it would be, "…their mid-20s." Spelling and grammatical errors don't matter much to me, but since they matter to you, I thought I'd help out. KThanksBye.
Will they accept transgender princes, I mean princesses?
Why are you one and would like to attend? Sure you're very welcome!
This poor owner is getting an unfortunate baptism of fire on what it means to have open commentary. You guys are all being huge a holes.
Relax, I may even take my daughter here when it opens. The spelling just makes me cringe.
Are you the guy who said that an apostrophe was trashy and low brow? Yeah. I'm the one who needs to relax. How do you feel about contractions?
Fine, but in the wrong place, contractions are trashy and low brow.
In many countries with advanced economies, including ours, young girls are being hyper-sexualized (treated like sex objects) through clothing, toys, and other products and services. What used to be considered appropriate only for adult women is being aimed at young girls. The many negative effects of objectifying children have been well documented; among them are lower self-esteem, eating disorders, depression, and body dissatisfaction.
I’ve taught young children for more than 25 years; I know a thing or two about psychology, sociology, and a child’s developing brain. There is a crucial difference between a child dressing up for play and making themselves over to fit a standard that’s been set for them (to meet either now or down the road) by people who either don’t care about the lasting impact it can have (some marketers) or those who do care very much but don’t realize exactly how their words and actions can be heard, seen, and processed.
A salon for young children can send a powerful message; each and every person who sets foot in Princess’land will have the opportunity (and IMHO, an obligation) to send an indisputable message to every single child that they are, always have been, and always will be beautiful exactly as they are. Their outward appearance is not a measure of their inherent worth and value, and not nearly as important as many other traits like their skills, strengths, minds, personality, and character. Many people are trying to send those messages, but they’re getting harder and harder for girls hear—much less believe—in the 21rst century.
If the owners and managers want to truly support young girls and help them feel genuinely good about themselves, I suggest again that they take down that picture I mentioned in my earlier post, as it’s a perfect example of hyper-sexualization. I am not a pervert, nor am I a prude; I’m telling you what the eyes of more than one experienced, educated, and aware person can immediately see. I also strongly suggest that they edit the spelling and grammar on their site. It will be viewed by many customers and potential customers. Whether intentionally or not, Princess’land will be setting an example in more ways than one; it should be worth following.
10:19 – oh wow, you are so correct. That photo absolutely sexualizes that young girl. Before anyone starts inundating me with nasty grams or name-calling, I'd like to say I am a very laid back mother of a young girl. I am not a prude, pervert, or any other categorization that someone may use to dismiss my opinion. I've actually never even commented on any of these sites. That photo is wrong. I would never, ever let anyone photograph my daughter in a position even resembling what's in that photo. And, let's not split hairs — the perception is she's on a bed. It doesn't matter if it is an actual bed, the perception is that it is bed. It's a disgusting, disturbing photo.
I'm not commenting on the services or the overall theme of the business – I have no dog in that fight. Each parent makes their own decisions. I take my daughter with me to get her nails done and I make a big deal about haircuts. I would never let someone massage my daughter or give my daughter a facial because the first is a truly disturbing thought and the second is unneeded and could damage young skin. Just me, though.
The website content, regarding spelling and grammar, is atrocious, bottom line. I am not disparaging, I am stating a fact. Everyone makes mistakes, even the best writers, which is why you should always have your work reviewed by another person. I see that they are advertising for a marketing person and I think that's fantastic. I would recommend elance.com or upwork.com to find an inexpensive contractor to correct the content. If a website designer is sought, you can find them there, as well. You set the budget and advertise what you want and folks will apply.
Some other suggestions: hire a contractor online to fix the website content; take that photo down immediately – if one person objects to it, don't argue, just take it down – I only went to look at it because of the comment – it's drawing negative attention; don't argue in a public forum with a commenter – again, you want to be perceived as always wanting to better your business and enhance your customer service; use stock photos rather than your own photography – there are websites from which you can buy stock photos that are taken by professionals. I've used getty.com and I believe, although I could be wrong, that another is iStock (?). Just google stock photography.
Apologies for any typos; typing on my phone and it's challenging to scroll back and proofread.
A facial is truly disturbing? Lol
Ha ha! You probably aren't aware that we can see that these two posts are from the same IP Address, which makes it doubly embarrassing that you start off by saying, "10:19 – oh wow, you are so correct." That made me laugh out loud! And no, that is not a bed. And no, when a girl lies on her back, it is not "disgusting."
Laugh at yourself, honey. That's one of the lamest trolls I've ever seen. *I* am the woman who posted at 10:19 the day before yesterday, and to be clear, I am not also the person who posted at 12:13 a.m. I pity anyone who'd waste their time with games like that.
To any readers who'd like to know, I was born in 1967 at a hospital in Alexandria that doesn't exist anymore (!) I've taught in Annandale and Falls Church; my current job is with preschoolers who have autism. To be sure, it can be quite tough at times, but it’s worth it when we see the difference we can make for our kids.
If anyone wants to know more about autism, I'd encourage them to go to http://www.autism-society.org. The Autism Society of Northern Virginia–at asnv.org–offers some good programs for adults on the spectrum (led by other adults on the spectrum) as well as assistance, support, and some training for parents, first responders, employers, and the general public. They also host family events such as sensory-friendly movie nights at local AMC theaters. I know some parents who've been active in the ASNV and say that their entire families have really benefited from it. If you need help, please don't hesitate to reach out to them!
Adam – please read more carefully before you comment. I wrote that someone giving my young daughter a massage is a disturbing thought for me. I wrote a facial on young skin is unneeded and may damage the skin. And, I wrote that's just me, though.
Anonymous 9:21am, I'm sure you are very proud of yourself and got a good laugh, however, you're wrong. I am not old enough to have taught young children for 25 years, have no background in psychology, and did not write the post before mine. I'm not as savvy as you clearly are with computers but how in the world could we have the same IP address? I don't know the person.
I am sorry I commented. These are my opinions. I gave honest feedback and suggestions for improvement. I did not rant at other commenters without any offer of solutions. I and the person who commented before me, who is apparently me, gave feedback and suggestions. What have you contributed, exactly?
You don't have to agree with me. I am a woman, I have a daughter, and I have my opinion of the photo. If you want to argue about it all day, that's fine. If you want some advice, don't argue with your customer base, it's not good for business. Think luxury service industry and notice how clients are treated in other spas/salons. No reason the same can't be applied here; after all, the parents are paying so they are the target demographic. I'm happy to help in any way I can. I've been in the business development industry for 19 years. Or, everyone can continue to take pot shots. Doesn't matter to me either way.