By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A new barbershop has opened inside the former Kuma’s restaurant space in downtown.
Elena Martinez moved Exquisite LX from its former home in Rockton to 420 E. State St., where Kuma’s had operated for nearly 15 years until it closed in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The space was most recently home to locally owned fashion retailer Danetrik’s, which closed its retail space last year.
Martinez, a licensed barber and the owner of Exquisite, celebrated her opening downtown Monday night with an invite-only open house. The barbershop officially opens at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
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Martinez is a Beloit, Wisconsin, native who started as a barber more than nine years ago. This is her second time working in downtown Rockford. She previously spent about three years at The Parlour Barbershop in downtown before she opened her own business in Rockton in August 2020.
“I’m excited to be back in downtown Rockford,” Martinez said. “I want to get involved with everything they have down here, working with the community a little bit more.”
Marinez and fellow barber Kendrick Moore, who also previously worked at The Parlour and joined Martinez at her business in Rockton, fill two of the four chairs at the barbershop. The two open chairs are available for barbers to rent. There’s also a nail technician for manicures and pedicures.
“It’s a very humbling experience to be back downtown where it all started,” Moore said. “It’s awesome to come into the new shop and see everything come true and see her vision come alive.”
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Moore said he hopes Exquisite has a relaxing and elegant environment where people feel comfortable hanging out before their haircuts, beard trims, hot towel shaves and other services.
“It’s crazy to see everything come back and see one of my best friends manifest everything that she wanted,” Moore said.
Fast facts | Esquisite LX
Where: 420 E. State St., Rockford
On the web: facebook.com/ExquisiteLX
Contact: 815-624-2725; Elenatheebarber@yahoo.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.