Left of Center: Facials for everyone! D'Amore celebrates anniversary

The reality of the situation was pretty clear for Mara Palermo.

"I wanted to do other services that you (just) couldn't do," she says. Not content with just using scissors and a razor, then, the stylist decided to merge the world of hair care with body works.

And since no such dual-entity existed in Lewiston, she elected to start her own in 2005. D'Amore Salon & Day Spa opened at 705 Center St. -- as one of the village's few second-floor operations.

"There wasn't any other full-service salon offered," she says. "I wanted something that would be unique; you know, different; something that would offer services that you had to go out further to get."

"It just all kind of fell into place," Palermo, 29, says.

Today, D'Amore offers a full range of body treatments, skin care, waxing, nail services, pedicures, makeup treatments and massage therapy. The salon specializes in Great Lengths hair extensions, Xtreme Lashes eye extensions, eyebrow threading, Keratin hair taming, tanning, and gel-polish manicures (which last up to three weeks).

While styling comes naturally to Palermo, she admits running a business "has been a huge learning experience."

"Definitely, running a business is completely different than what you do day-to-day in terms of your ability and skills," Palermo says.

Now a well-adjusted businesswoman, she's managed to stay in business even as other salons have changed hands or moved out of the village.

The key, she says, is "We're always changing. We're always evolving. We're always adding new services on. We're always trying to do things to please the customers."

Plus, "I have a lot of really good clients, and clients that have been really loyal to me," Palermo notes.

"You listen to them; you make adjustments according to their needs," she notes.

Of course, it also helps that Palermo likes her job.

"My passion is doing hair," she says. "Working with clients -- that's just what I love to do, and I think that's what drives me every day."

"I guess I just love what I do," she continues. "I love that people that come here have been supporting me for a long time. It's a great feeling."

In honor of her five-year anniversary, Palermo has revised her prices and folded in additional treatment services. She's recently added bridal packages, too.

Current product lines offered at D'Amore include L'Anza (styling and coloring treatments), Mastey (organic hair color) and Pevonia (skin care).

The salon features "Girl's Night Out" and "Dashing Diva" events. The first, for up to 10 women, is what Palermo describes as an adult party. For $65 per person, guests receive their choice of three services -- and they can bring their own wine.

"They can have the salon to themselves, which is really nice," Palermo says.

The second package is for girls up to the age of 13. It's a youth-oriented birthday party.

D'Amore also offers a special 20 percent discount for all Lewiston workers (employees, managers and owners).

"It's an exclusive offer," Palermo says.

For more information on D'Amore, or to make an appointment, call 754-7171 or visit www.damoresalondayspa.com.