ESCANABA – A local business held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the expansion of its services.
Braiding Boutique Microblading celebrated its grand opening with a celebratory ribbon cutting courtesy of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce.
“We celebrate the re-grand opening of Braiding Boutique.” said owner Kylie Karishek.
As the service expands, patrons may notice some changes to the store.
“It’s now a microblading studio, historic aviation gallery, and small business mall.”
She said she had the space and wanted to support her friend.
“All my friends are entrepreneurs and dreamers. I just really wanted to do something to give back to the community and support as many small businesses and local vendors as possible.” Kalishek said.
The store is currently home to 20 local vendors selling jewelry, copper art, and more.
“It’s become as eclectic as I am.” Kalishek joked.
She said her friends may not have enough products to launch an entire store, but she had the money to spare and wanted to help.
“A lot of them don’t have enough products to fill an entire storefront, but I have a large storefront, so I can lend them a little bit of space to get their name out there.” Kalishek said.
The Historic Aviation Gallery displays members of the Kalishek family, including footage from nearly 100 years ago.
“My grandfather and his four sisters were early pioneers in aviation. They flew before Amelia Earhart and were wing walkers in flying circuses.” she said.
Not only are they part of the Karishek family, but they are also Delta County locals.
“They were hanging out of airplanes by their teeth and doing all this crazy stuff. They were from Delta County.” she said.
While shopping at the Emporium or waiting for their microblading appointment, guests can look back to the 1920s.
“This is local history that has really been forgotten and I have new footage of them (her family) walking in the wings and we’re playing it in the store in the 1920s. It’s really important to preserve that history. That’s wonderful.” she said.
The microblading part of the business is also expanding and aims to help people.
“I am the only microblading artist in UP who officially works with the Saurer Institute, and through me they get funding to do eyebrow restoration for women who have had breast cancer.” she said.
For more information about the boutique, please visit www.bladingboutique.com.
If you would like more information about qualifying for free microblading due to breast cancer, please contact Carla at info@saulerinsitute.com.
Blading Boutique, Small Business Emporium and Aviation Gallery is located at 1107 Ludington Street in Escanaba.