Shine Salon & Spa to Close December 10

Whether it was offering free hair and make-up services to Enumclaw High School girls , or sponsoring dentists who were working on the free , made a mark in the community in its short two-and-a-half years.

It's unfortunate, then, that the current economic climate has claimed another local Enumclaw business. "We appreciate the business our clients have given us and the support of our community over the past 2 1/2 years," wrote owner Tim Munnell in a prepared statement. "But with the continuing down-turn in the economy, we've reached a point where we cannot continue."

Munnell further explained that the salon business tends to slow in the summer but typically picks up again in the fall -- not so this year. "I don't know if it's because people are just hanging onto their money," he said. "We depend on the fall to pick up. We've been keeping it tight anyway. With fall being not as busy as expected, I can't put myself any deeper into a hole."

Several members of the Shine staff, including Sarah Brock, Krystal Atchley, Susan Mihlbauer and Wendy Blue (who is on maternity leave until next April) will be working at the , he said. Mihlbauer will be working part time while Atchley and Brock will be working full time.

As for Munnell, "I need to find a job," he said. "I'll go back to what I've always done, which is managing spas. I began in massage and went into management shortly after that. I've been in management for 13 years."

The outreach that his business provided the community was always a part of his business plan, he said. "That was always what we wanted to do," he said. "We thought that was one of the keys to success, but we like doing that stuff anyway."

Below is the full text of Munnell's message:

It is with sincere regret that Shine Salon and Spa will be closing its doors on December 10th. We appreciate the business our clients have given us and the support of our community over the past 2 1/2 years. But with the continuing down-turn in the economy, we've reached a point where we cannot continue. Many of the staff will be continuing to work in the area. Sarah Brock, Krystal Atchley, Susan Mihlbauer and Wendy Blue(when Wendy returns from maternity leave) will be working at the Hair Gallery here in town. I've given them all their client lists, informed the clients we have already booked of the change, and they each independently will be contacting all of their existing clients to inform them of the change as well as first visit discounts. We 've been honored to work in such a beautiful building with such a great history and look forward to seeing what becomes of this beautiful space. Interested parties please contact Mike Reynolds at 360-802-3888.