News Release - Mayor Richards Welcomes “Tonja’s Personal Touch Featuring Headz Up Hats,” to Mt. Hope Avenue

City of Rochester

News Release

(Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012) – Mayor Thomas S. Richards is pleased to welcome a unique new business to Mt. Hope Avenue. City Council Member Elaine Spaull joined business owner and manager Tonja McNair, of Tonja’s Personal Touch featuring Headz Up Hats today for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its new location at 524 Mt. Hope Ave. 

“Tonja’s Personal Touch featuring Headz Up Hats is certainly a welcome addition to the neighborhood,” said Mayor Thomas S. Richards. “This kind of establishment, with an emphasis in fashion and art adds a new facet to the character of Mt. Hope Avenue.”

Previously located at 674 South Ave., Tonja’s Personal Touch featuring Headz Up Hats, opened its doors in 1993.  In 2007, Headz Up Hats was added to the business. Ms. McNair, who is in the “appearance enhancement business”--makes custom head pieces, including fascinators, with one-of-a-kind embellishments on each piece she crafts.

Tonja’s Personal Touch featuring Headz Up Hats originally employed three staff members. With this expansion and move to the Mt. Hope Ave. location, Ms. McNair has doubled her staff to six, and hopes to hire 3 to 5 additional employees over the next several years.

Tonja’s Personal Touch featuring Headz Up Hats is open Mon. through Wed. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thurs. and Fri., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The City assisted Ms. McNair with a 50/50 Small Business Matching Grant.

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News Media: For more information, contact City Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner R. Carlos Carballada at 428-8801.