Owners Adrian Wiley (left) and Lydia Thomas (right) recently opened Queens Hair & Beauty Supply, located at 2035 28th St. SE. (Photo courtesy of Rich Photography)
By Meochia Nochi Thompson Community contributor Photos by Rich Photography
Can I just say, “Whew, there is plenty of magic in the air!”
Walking into Queens Hair & Beauty Supply, located at 2035 28th St. SE, Unit K, is like a breath of relief. First of all, how often is it that you come across a black-owned beauty supply business in Grand Rapids? It was like the owners, Adrian Wiley and Lydia Thomas, knew exactly what was wanted and very much needed.
Although there are products for almost anyone, it’s a store that understands how to deal with black hair, skin, beauty and psyche from beginning to end. When you walk in the first thing you hear is great music flowing through the speaker, which puts the shopper at further ease because it feels like home. You notice right away the store is clean. Then you’re greeted with a warm and welcoming “Hello” by one of the many helpers walking throughout the store.
The aisles are spacious giving you ample room to walk around and browse the products without feeling closed in or rushed. There are familiar brands that are popular for black hair and skin. Queens offers everything from barrettes and sunglasses to hair dyes, cosmetics and weaves.
Knowledgeable staff are all around to assist with any questions and even offer helpful recommendations, some based off personal experience. Products are placed neatly on the shelves and everyone seems very friendly and patient.
It creates a sense of pride and accomplishment for men and women of color. Even if you don’t find everything you need, you’re moved to buy something just to show love and support.
Queens Hair & Beauty Supply is clean, neat and has spacious aisles. (Photo courtesy of Rich Photography.)
Queens not only sells products, they have found a unique and uplifting way to give back to the community, which is very important when it comes to African-Americans. Space is provided in the front of the store for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their business on Saturday mornings for a minimal fee.
Queens Hair & Beauty Supply definitely will have women of color straightening their crowns and walking a little taller with its attentiveness and quality products. The store’s prices are compatible and customer service is impeccable.
As more products become available and business picks up, it will be interesting to see how much magic Queens Hair & Beauty Supply will really produce!
Although there are products for almost anyone, Queens Hair & Beauty Supply is a store that understands how to deal with black hair, skin, beauty and psyche from beginning to end. (Photo courtesy of Rich Photography.)
Circle Theatre’s 2020 Main Stage season will entertain audiences with a season of throwbacks, belly laughs, and iconic productions. The newly announced season will launch with Circle Theatre’s Season Kickoff Event, American Graffiti In Concert on April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Aquinas College. The one night only fundraising event will include a silent auction, costume contest, dance contest, and more.
2020 celebrates Circle’s 68th year of producing plays and musicals for West Michigan audiences. Upcoming 2020 Main Stage productions include:
Disaster! (musical): Earthquakes, tidal waves, infernos and the unforgettable songs of the ’70s take center stage in Broadway’s side-splitting homage to classic disaster films. What begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters. As the night turns into day, everyone struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love that they’ve lost… or at least escape the killer rats. Musical by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick. This new Broadway show runs May 7-9, 13-16, and 20-23 at 7:30 p.m. and May 17 at 5 p.m.
Moon Over Buffalo (play): In the madcap comedy tradition of Lend Me a Tenor, the hilarious Moon Over Buffalo centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950s, who are on tour in Buffalo with a repertory consisting of Cyrano de and Noel Coward’s Private Lives, when they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee! Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does. Play by author Ken Ludwig. Moon Over Buffalo runs June 4-6, 10- 13, and 17-20 at 7:30 p.m. and June 14 at 5 p.m.
Always… Patsy Cline(musical): Always…Patsy Cline, based on the true story of country superstar Patsy Cline’s friendship with Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961, and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death, is more than a tribute to the legendary country singer, it’s the journey of friendship and strength of two women through some of Cline’s most unforgettable hits. Musical created and originally directed by Ted Swindley. Always… Patsy Cline runs July 16-18, 22-25, and July 29-Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and July 26 at 5 p.m.
Noises Off (play): Called “the funniest farce ever written,” Noises Off presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing’s On. Doors slamming, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play. Play by Michael Frayn. This hilarious play takes the Circle stage Aug. 13-15, 19-22, and 26-29 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 23 at 5 p.m.
HAIR(musical): This American tribal love-rock musical celebrates the ‘60s counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory while exploring the ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace. HAIR remains as relevant as ever as it examines what it means to be a young person in a changing world. Book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. Music by Galt MacDermot. This toe-tapping musical runs Sept. 10-12, 16-19, and 23-26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 20 at 5:00pm.
2019 Magic Circle | Goldilocks and the Three Pigs(family play): Goldilocks and the three… PIGS?! The action in this playful romp finds Goldilocks and the three Chop brothers, with help from the Squeal sisters, hiding from the witch who’s chasing them. Toss into this hilarious fractured fairy tale the Big Bad Wolf, his French weasel friend Oui Oui, and two very different witches, then mix in a classic chase scene and a little bit of a moral and watch the mayhem that ensues! Play by Larry Damico. Catch Goldilocks and the Three Pigs on the Circle stage June 29 at 7 p.m., June 30 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and July 1 at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 7 p.m.. Magic Circle Party will be June 29 at 5:30 p.m.
Circle’s unique and diverse Summer Concert Series performances include Hits of the ‘80s: Vol. 2 (May 11, July 20, September 14), Hello Sunshine: Songs of Summer (June 15, August 24), ABC: Boy Band Evolution (June 8, August 17), and Freebird: Classic Rock of the ‘70s(May 18, July 27, September 21). All performances will be held at Circle Theatre, located at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Aquinas College, on select Monday evenings throughout the summer.
Season Flex Passes and Concert Bundles for the 2020 season give patrons the best value for purchasing multiple tickets while also allowing for flexibility when plans change. Flex Passes and Concert Bundles are now available for purchase! For more season details, ticket packages, and audition information please call the box office at 616-456-6656 or visit Circle’s website at circletheatre.org.
