ALTAMONT — A trio of beauty professionals have opened a new business, Salon 146, on the eastern edge of the village.

Salon owner Sarah McDonald has been a hair stylist for six years and a make-up artist for the last decade.

The 100 Main Street location for her new shop was previously a hair-care salon were she used to work. Now under a new name, she’s been welcoming familiar and fresh clientele from the local community.

“I wanted a place that was gender neutral and welcoming to everyone — the walls aren’t bright pink,” she said. They are light blue.

McDonald said she’s excited to be a first-time business owner and is running the salon with two friends, manicurist Michelle Butler and hair stylist Melissa Kocsas.

The women say they’ve come to enjoy Altamont’s small-town atmosphere.

“People come in and often they aren’t a stranger. You can talk to each other about things in the community and you’re on the same page because it’s a small town,” said Butler.

“You can have a relationship with your clients you don’t get in a lot of other places,” added McDonald. “Sometimes people just drop by to say ‘hello.’ It’s very close, very friendly.”

McDonald and Bulter have been working together for three years and they’ve taken Kocsas, who is 17 years old and recently graduated from beauty school, under their wing.

“Being with these guys makes it fun,” said Kocasa, adding, “It’s nice having a job where you get to make other people feel good about themselves.”

The salon is having an open house on Friday at 5 p.m. Visitors will be offered wine and hors d’oeuvres and get a 10-percent retail discount.  Younger visitors can receive a goody bag. Attendees will also have their names entered into a drawing to win $150 worth of beauty products, and may also win free services, such as keratin treatments or eyebrow waxing.

The salon is raising money for breast-cancer awareness and will take part in a breast cancer walk in Albany’s Washington Park at the end of October. Anyone making a donation to the fund will also be entered into the drawing.

Salon 146 is open for walk-ins on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those making appointments can get special arrangements outside of the regular hours if needed, up to 10 p.m., said McDonald.

McDonald specializes in make-up and is an airbrush expert. She’s worked on projects from wedding parties to movie sets.

Other services the salon offers include hair extensions, manicures, pedicures, leg and feet massages, several coloring techniques, keratin treatments, and eyelash enhancements.