Photo: Somerset website

At last week’s Uptown United gala, Somerset Place Apartment’s Ayman Assaf of Zidan Management Group received a Partner Award for his efforts in the transformation of the aging building. The complex located at 5009 N. Sheridan (2 blocks South of Foster but still located within the 48th ward) went through its remarkable transformation a couple years ago and has since received community praise for their attention to detail.

In August, Somerset Place signed a lease for its first retail space, Alchemia Art of Hair. The 1100 sq. ft. space will offer all you would expect from a salon, from women’s and men’s haircuts to highlights and keratin treatments.

After years of hair styling in his home studio, Alchemia owner Edward Steinbeigle is making the big leap to this brand new retail space. Steinbeigle has also had a colorful past in the hair world woking on tv shows such as MTV’s “Make-over Madness, The Jenny Jones Show, and Jerry Springer. He has also worked in high profile salons including Milio’s, Mario Tricoci, and Charles Ifergan.

Somerset Place was the perfect location for Steinbeigle, he said, “I chose this building for it’s historical significance and the gorgeous restoration they did to it.  I am truly honored to have my salon in this space and thankful for the opportunity.”

Starting a gofundme.com campaign almost two years ago, Steinbeigle had his eye on making his dream come true financially. Not only has he used those donations along with his own money to get the business off the ground, he has also applied for the city’s TIF/SBIF grant.

For the past eight years, Steinbeigle has called the area his home as well. He has seen the neighborhood transformation first hand, including projects such as the nearby Argyle streetscape. Thrilled to build his business here, he stated, “I am so excited that I get to share my passion with, not only my existing guests, but the community as a whole in my first store front.  I am looking forward to reaching out into a larger market and making a name for myself in the area.”

Dan Luna, Chief of Staff, for Ald. Harry Osterman has been working with Steinbeigle to put together a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. The celebration will include food, drink and specials. Alchemia will officially open its doors on Monday, Nov. 24, 2015.