Ramona Gets a Little Moxie

Laura Bozarth, Lea Connelly, Tracy Oberlies, Julie Lenahan, Pamela Jewell.

By Laura Calverley

Moxie Salon, a new beauty salon that opened recently in the Ramona Professional Building, is setting itself apart with some new and different offerings. In addition to complete hair and nail services, the quaint salon has a color bar, a full massaging spa pedicure chair overlooking a garden, and it is introducing girls’ birthday parties.

“We wanted to do something above and beyond the normal salon here,” said Tracy Oberlies, Moxie’s owner.

Parents looking for a new and trendy idea for their daughter’s next birthday party might want to consider having it at Moxie. It makes the birthday girl feel pampered and special and is less work than planning a party at home. The salon has already started booking some birthday parties.

“The parties are for girls 4 to 14 years of age,” said Oberlies, who has worked in the salon industry for 30 years. “The girls receive manicures, spa pedicures, shampoos and updo’s.”

The parties are held Saturday afternoons and all day Sundays, and last two to three hours. Pizza, drinks, cake and ice cream can be added. In addition to birthday parties, other special celebrations such as bachelorette parties can be booked at Moxie.

The salon prides itself on being service-oriented. The new color bar allows clients to watch their own color-formula creations, which will comfort anyone who’s felt the apprehension of having a stylist disappear into a back room to mix a color.

Clients can relax in a new, massaging spa pedicure chair and enjoy looking out at a tranquil garden with a waterfall.

“We find our clients sitting in it even if they’re not receiving pedicures,” Oberlies said.

The salon, with three hairdressers, one nail technician, a salon coordinator and one stylist/assistant, has a friendly, open-door policy. On Saturday mornings, clients can enjoy coffee, juice, toasted bagels with cream cheese, and fruit.

“Everyone is invited to check us out,” Oberlies said. “We guarantee you won’t want to leave.

“There are a lot of salons in Ramona. We do our best to be better and different.”

Moxie is a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon and is open Monday through Saturday. Wedding packages are available. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (760) 789-0022. The Web site, www.ittakesmoxie.com, has information on specialty parties, prices and services.