Marquette beauty salon out of business

A beauty salon that had operated in Marquette since 1997 has suddenly closed. Utopia Tanning, Hair and Skin Care Spa has gone out of business.

Owners Curt and Elaine Hewitt released a statement today through their attorney. They said that a decline in business and financial setbacks in the tanning industry are the main reasons for the closure. The Hewitts singled out a 10% federal excise tax on tanning salons imposed in 2010 as especially damaging.

A notice on the door said that the owners didn’t even know the business would be closing until the last minute, and one sign of that was visible through a window: a reminder note about a customer’s December 5th pedicure appointment taped to a mirror.

An electronic sign outside the building displayed a message today: “Thank you, Utopia customers, for a great 16 years. All the best, Curt & Elaine and staff.”