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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 2021)
Minority & Small Business PO QR code ‘City of Roses’ Volume XLVV • Number 18 www.portlandobserver.com Wednesday • October 6, 2021 Committed to Cultural Diversity Y’Nique McAllister Wright at the grand opening of her Y’Nique Touch Salon with the best friends who helped her plan the festivities. Pictured (from left) are DeSaree Hall, Wright, Celeste Tillman and Manerva Hart. Starting a brand new business is really hard. Of course doing it doing a pandemic is even harder. And when you’re the face of the next generation of historic black- owned Portland businesses, the pressure is on! In the middle of Portland’s Al- berta Arts District, at Northeast 13th and Alberta, sits the newest black-owned hair salon, Y’Nique Touch Salon. According to owner Y’Nique McAllister Wright, this high- in Born Tough Times New salon is face of next generation ly-rated boutique is so much more than getting a blowout or protec- tive hair style, it’s about the vibe, esthetics and overall experience. “From hair to heritage, we hon- or and nurture the roots we grew out of,” Wright says, describing Beating the Odds for Business Start Young woman finds success after troubled youth but with the help of some caring individuals, the Soul District, and the city of Portland, she has beaten the odds and will open Holy Beanz Coffee Shop at Northeast 26th and by Beverly Corbell Alberta at the end of November. The Portland Observer The odds started out against Wil- Few people could overcome liams when she was just a kid since Shalimar Williams’ tough begin- Continued on Page 7 nings and open their own business, the rich history of the arts district as well the neighborhoods of north and northeast Portland, the center of black culture in Portland. “We are doing our part in con- tributing to the future by honoring the past which is evident via the art work displayed on the walls throughout the salon,” she said. “We focus on healthy natural hair which starts with the scalps, and the integrity and longevity of a healthy hair care regimen. Hair comes in all different colors, dif- ferent shapes, different styles, different textures, and we cater to them all.” Services include both natural and chemically-treated hair solu- tions at an affordable cost. A recent client called Y’Nique a rare find. “I’m new to the area and I wanted a cute cut, but have never had a super short cut before. After looking on Google I came across a Continued on Page 6 photo by Mark Washington/ The Portland Observer Shalimar Williams is a first- time entrepreneur who will open Holy Beanz Coffee shop at Northeast 26th and Alberta in November. Embracing her Black roots, she plans to decorate the shop with memorabilia from Portland’s Black history and a hire a workforce that is also rooted in the community.
