Progress on Dalton LincWay center continues. STEAM Playlab, cafe and art studio to come

DALTON − Business has been booming since Brittany Jarvis moved her hair salon J & Co. Hair Studio and Spa into a space at the LincWay center building on the outskirts of the village.

The new location is a spacious upgrade that more than doubled her original spot in Orrville, which measured nearly 800 square feet, she said.

Biz update:Construction continues on Wayne County Children's STEAM Playlab, summer 2023 opening eyed

"We went from a few chairs to 12 and now more than 14 here," Jarvis said. "Here I can train more stylists and they can run their own business in my space. It's really perfect."

Jarvis began renting the space at 258 Kurzen Road in October and is the only fully independent business to do so at the LincWay center, which holds the still-in-progress STEAM Playlab.

The remaining businesses, including the art studio and cafe and market, will be run by LincWay and are slated to open in the coming months, said Delight Howells, director of LincWay. The 24/7 office space opened its doors in December.

First businesses to open

Jarvis' opportunity to rent the space at LincWay came about during a chance meeting with Howell's father, who needed a haircut.

After a quick look around the Orrville salon, he said a bigger space might be necessary, Jarvis recalled. She agreed.

Everyone came to a rental agreement at a meeting and Jarvis moved into LincWay by early October.

Full STEAM ahead: Wayne County Playlab works through construction, funding delays

Two months later, the LincWay Workspace opened. The eight private offices range from 76 to 117 square feet and are available to rent on a month-to-month basis or every six months, according to the LincWay website.

The six smaller offices are $475 per month or $450 per month for a six-month term. The two largest offices are $500 each month or $475 per month for the six-month term.

"Anyone can rent an office either for work or school," Howells said. "Once rented, you will get a card to enter the office at any time of day."

One office was rented while construction was still ongoing, she said.

"It's perfect for anyone who works remotely or is able to change where they work," she said.

The office also has a kitchenette, a utility closet, a break room, two restrooms and a conference room. Water, gas, electricity, maintenance, repairs, cleaning, internet and a smart TV are provided, according to the website.

To rent an office anyone can call Howells at 234-226-8888 or email her at Delight.Howells@LincWay.us.

Art studio, cafe and market

Slated to open on Thursday, Feb. 23, the LincWay Art Studio will offer classes and projects for all ages in the evening hours every Thursday to Saturday.

Pottery "make and take" same-day projects will be available alongside glaze pottery and painting.

"I love doing (art) with my kiddos and my husband," Howells said. "That's why I wanted this space, to give families a space for creativity."

Once the art studio opens, the final piece to the LincWay puzzle will take center stage in March with the grand opening of the LincWay Cafe and Market.

The market will sell locally-made goods, including food and products. Next door will be the cafe selling ice cream, sandwiches, pastries, tea, coffee and other items, Howells said.

The cafe will have two entrances, one from the STEAM Playlab for museum guests and another for the general public.

Both the cafe and market will be open in the evening hours.

"We wanted a space for people to have fun and do things, and there aren't too many places to hang out in the evening around here," Howells said. "That's why we're opening the cafe, market and art studio in the evening hours."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: LincWay to fully open in coming months, STEAM Playlab in progress