La Mirage adds more style with tanning and jewelry

Three years ago, La Mirage made a move from their 20-year business location in Bethany Beach to the Route 26 corridor in Ocean View. This past season, they acquired even more space, expanding their hair salon and boutique to offer even more to their clients. In addition to their hair stylings, cuts and coloring, they now offer their own tanning and jewelry services, as well.

“Everything is together now,” said owner Barry Kehler. “It wasn’t like that before. It all complements each other.”

Three years ago, when La Mirage moved into the back of the Raskauskus Retail Center, they partnered up with a tanning business, but a recent falling-out may have been the blessing in disguise that La Mirage was looking for. They have taken over the space and have brought in Phyllis McCourt, a skin and anti-aging specialist, to help get the ball rolling.

“We’ve got great tanning beds available,” said McCourt, “and all of our prices have come down.”

Tanning at La Mirage boasts one stand-up tanning machine and five beds, one of which is a 12-minute Turbo Bed, providing customers with the quickest tan in the shortest amount of time.

“When the weather’s crummy outside, and people can’t just go out and get sun, they can come in for a tan,” said McCourt. “People need Vitamin D, and you can’t just walk out and get that right now.”

According to a study conducted on Vitamin D by the Skin and Bone Research Laboratory and the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition in the Department of Medicine in the Boston University School of Medicine, it was found that habitual usage of tanning beds can produce Vitamin D and can benefit the human skeleton.

“Studies prove that Vitamin D can improve illnesses,” said McCourt, “anything from thyroid issues to diabetes or cancer. Tanning beds are not a bad thing. In moderation, they can be beneficial.”

In an effort to maintain clients, Tanning at La Mirage is honoring tanning packages and sessions previously purchased at I’d Rather Be Tanning.

“We got our start through word-of-mouth,” recalled Kehler, “and we’ve grown ever since. It’s a tight-knit community here, and we want to be there for everyone we can.”

Madeleine Czyzewski, who relocated from New Jersey to Sussex County, has also teamed up with La Mirage, bringing her antiques and fine jewelry to the boutique. She has been making much of her own jewelry for the better part of three decades and specializes in repairing and restoring antique jewelry. Many of her featured pieces are available for purchase at La Mirage, and, by early February, she plans on operating her jewelry repair business from the Ocean View location, as well.

“I can do repairs on any kind of jewelry,” she noted, “including silver. A lot of people won’t. I can do soldering, sizing, cleaning or stone-cutting.”

Watches can be repaired there, too. Estimates are free. Czyzewski also brings an eclectic mix of antique gifts to La Mirage, including gold and silver costume jewelry and small furniture.

“I carry a variety of things,” she said, “new and used, antiques and previously loved items.”

For more information, stop in to La Mirage, located at 29 Atlantic Avenue, Suite O, in Ocean View, in the shopping center with Blockbuster and Papa John’s pizzeria. For the salon and boutique, call (302) 539-5618. For Madeleine’s antique jewelry and repair, call (267) 226-0182, and for Tanning at La Mirage, call (302) 351-3168.