Ropage lures clientele just around the corner

Mike Swanson

Residents seeking advice from multiple hair care, cosmetic and skin

care lines and looking to participate in a free social event --

featuring food and wine -- can visit Ropage Beauty and Salon’s grand

re-opening celebration at 435 Ocean Ave. Thursday.

The Weinstein family, owners of Ropage, will provide food, wine

and music from 5 to 8 p.m., including a ribbon-cutting ceremony

officially marking its June move from Forest Avenue. Representatives

from product lines like Murad, Schwarzkopf, Dermalogica, Paul

Mitchell, Sebastian and Mario Badescu will be on hand from 11 a.m. to

4 p.m. Thursday through Aug. 9 providing free consultations,

sampling, products with purchase, gift-basket raffles and more.

“This will be a great time for people to ask questions,” co-owner

Len Weinstein said. “There’s a lot of information these vendors have

to give, and in terms of skin care, men have just as much to learn as

women.”

Ropage’s new Ocean Avenue residence is its fourth in 37 years in

Laguna Beach, having occupied its last home at 272 Forest Ave., a

highly coveted spot because of its heavy foot traffic, for 15 years.

In its short life on Ocean Avenue thus far, the Weinsteins said

they’re happy with customers’ reaction to the new, off-the-main-strip

spot.

“Customers have been very receptive,” said Geri Weinstein, Len

Weinstein’s daughter and heir to the Ropage throne. “They’ve been

more comfortable here and tend to stay longer. We’re losing tourists,

but residents seem to like seeing the new old Ropage.”

Len Weinstein said regulars have been especially happy with the

store’s new, more open look. The site, complete with double-glass

doors and high ceilings, was formerly occupied by an art gallery.

“We didn’t have any expectations, but it’s been good so far,” Len

Weinstein said. “I couldn’t think of a better place to be. We’re

comfortable and at peace here.”

In terms of expectations for the weekend celebration, Geri

Weinstein said she’s banking on two and hoping for 2,000. Len

Weinstein said the entire family -- including its most recognizable

member, Miesha the poodle -- has been looking forward to the gala

since having moved.

“We’re just stoked and it better be good,” Geri Weinstein said.