Wig boutique opens on Grand Central Avenue
VIENNA — A new wig boutique has opened north of Vienna.
Extreme Changez Wig Boutique at 6250 Grand Central Ave. is owned by Shelly Shumaker, Valorie Smith Mace and Charesse Rutherford.
The boutique opened on Sept. 17, but the idea goes back to 2015, Shumaker said.
“We want to be able to help people of all colors, all nationalities,” she said.
High on the priority list are those undergoing chemotherapy or living in a shelter and needing to feel good about themselves to re-enter the workforce, according to Shumaker.
“We try to help them gain confidence,” she said.
Shumaker says her mentor was Lionel Chaney, who in the 1990s made it possible to learn other textures of hair so African American women could also have hair service.
“He mentored us into the latest and greatest, so now we can empower women of all colors and textures, more so that women of all color can harmonize together for our community in a time when the world wants to divide,” she said.
Programs are being developed at Extreme Changez Wig Boutique to help those who are undergoing chemotherapy with their wigs, including free wig maintenance and helping them choose the right wig. They will help the chemotherapy patient with styling, fitting and customizing the wig, Shumaker said.
Wigs start at $40 or $50, she said.
Besides wig maintenance, Extreme Changez Wig Boutique also offers hair extensions and is considering toupees, too, she said. Wigs for cosplay also are available.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The shop is closed on Sundays.
The phone number is 618-526-1167.