Blades on Broadway brings education to Basin

Cosmetology school plans expansion to Wenatchee in fall

Walking into Blades on Broadway, one gets that familiar salon smell of conditioners and shampoos.

But in this case, there's something lingering underneath: Knowledge.

Ramiro Alvarado, owner of the original Blades Salon, which has been open for about 16 years, said he began the institute of hair design, located at 113 E. Broadway, in December to help salon employees with their education.

"I just wanted a school where students could actually learn and be taught the right way," Alvarado said. "I have a salon and basically all the students that I've been getting from other schools have not been educated enough for them to get on the floor and know basic training."

Alvarado described the institute's Pivot Point program as "the science of teaching cosmetology." He stressed that potential cosmetology students don't have to move away to go to a decent school.

"A lot of the students were going out of town for education and it is here in the Basin," he said. "They don't have to have the expensive move to Seattle or Spokane and get an apartment. They can live at home and get an education."

It's still too early, but Alvarado said another goal for his opening the institute is so that he can hire those students he likes at his salon.

Alvarado also has plans to open another Blades on Broadway in Wenatchee come September.

"We're still at the ground floor," he said.

School director Chris Lacey said that the institute employs about six people, including four instructors, and averages about 25 students.

"We are also part of the vocational program with Moses Lake High School," Lacey said. "The students, during the school year, will be here during school times and those hours count towards their cosmetology license."

Students will go to international expositions — one student placed fifth in Seattle in January, Lacey said — and training seminars, while people will come to Moses Lake as well to address the students.

Students do approximately 300 hours of training before they ever touch a client, Lacey said.

"Every client that comes in here is helping the community by turning out stylists, nail technicians, aestheticians that are ready for the workplace," Lacey said. "That's what we do — we're real people, the students are real people and we're getting them ready for the real world. Every time a client comes in here, they're a part of that."

Vocational and lead instructor Eva Moore said that advanced quality training is something the industry needs.

"Potential students will be receiving the best quality education possible, and we have outside professionals come in at all times and do advance training," Moore said. "We prepare them for the future, for salon service. When they get into a salon, we want them to feel confident."

Student Danielle Cruz is done at the end of the month, and plans to move to Spokane to work in a salon there. She said she got started because it is what her grandmother did.

"The school is very close, because there's fewer students here and we all get to form a relationship," she said.

Reaction from the community has been positive, Alvarado said.

"They've loved it; I've had a lot of phone calls, I have had thank you letters sent to me," he said. "(They are) impressed with the quality of the work and the professionalism of my students."

Lacey called the reaction phenomenal.

"We have a tremendous client base, a tremendous following," he said. "The community is very happy with what we're doing. There's a tremendous need for appropriate training in this field — cosmetology, aesthetician and nail technicians."