COOS BAY �” Pleasing smells and melodic music greet customers entering Hair Co. Etc. Salon & Day Spa’s new storefront in downtown Coos Bay. Its owner, Meagan Phillips, has made it a priority to give her clients a relaxing atmosphere to repair to when getting their hair cut or nails done.

Producing such an environment had became decidedly difficult when the city declared building the salon used to call home was dangerous.

The salon and day spa had been housed in the Lockhart building, 355 Central Ave., for more than 30 years until Oct. 6, when Phillips moved her business to the new location at 196 S. Second St.

Phillips knew her former location had some faults, but when city officials came to the old storefront to post notices in the window, she thought there had to be a mistake.

“None of us was really aware of what was going on,” she said.

In the weeks that followed, business dropped off about 40 percent, Phillips said.

“It was pretty slow,” she said. “A lot of people didn’t realize we were still open for business.”

The salon was the only tenant, but city officials allowed the business to remain until it could secure a new location.

“The city was wonderful,” she said. “They gave me a 30-day notice but never gave me any problems about moving.”

Phillips secured a lease in the old Elks lodge in September and oversaw renovations that included the installation of hardwood floors and new sinks.

The store now faces onto Anderson Avenue, with much more traffic passing by.

Employees have already noticed an increase in first-time visitors.

“We get a lot of people who are curious,” said Andy Osborn, a business associate of Phillips. “People who didn’t know about us see us here.”

Phillips also became the city’s first client in its virtual business incubator program. She has been taking classes every Thursday night, working on developing a business plan and financial statement. Once she finishes the 9-week course, she hopes to qualify for funding to help with additional improvements to her store.

“The whole thing was a blessing in disguise,” Phillips said.

Hair Co. Etc. offers customers a variety of services, including massage therapy, body waxing and facials. It also provides a laser treatment that improves skin tone and texture, something Phillips hasn’t seen offered anywhere else in the area.

Given the large number of hair and nail salons in the area, she wants Hair Co. Etc. to be seen more as a day spa.

“We want more of a relaxation atmosphere,” Phillips said.