K. Rae Salon & Spa debuts in former CorningWare building on Pine St.
An historic Gaffer District building that once featured signature Corning products has new life.
K. Rae Salon & Spa, featuring salon, spa and cosmetic services, recently opened downtown at 114 Pine St., which formerly housed CorningWare Corelle & More until early 2022.
K. Rae owner MacKenzie Myers has long had her eye on the building near Centerway Square, hoping to revitalize it for a new generation.
“This has always been a dream of mine,” said Myers, who is also a color specialist.
The large space has been transformed to create an atmosphere where talented, independent, educated artists could flourish while creating the best quality service and experience for customers.
“I purchased the building from Corning Inc. for $450,000 in January 2024, about this time last year,” Myers said. “We pretty much started renovations immediately, and we opened in late December.”
K. Rae Salon & Spa provides a variety of services including hair, nails, teeth lightening, waxing, facials and eyelash extensions in an upscale atmosphere. In February, Allison Aesthetics, a cosmetic injection medical spa and office, will open in a large section on the second floor of the building.
“There are about 30 educated artists at K. Rae Salon & Spa,” Myers said. “The salon and spa currently offers two nail specialists, four estheticians, a teeth whitener and a lot of hair services.”
The talented team includes color, blonding and extension specialists, estheticians with various specialties, makeup artists, nail specialists and independent stylists.
K. Rae also features a bar at the new location where clients can relax before or after services. It features both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
K. Rae Salon and Spa is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
“Since we’ve been open it’s been really busy,” Myers said. “Everyone has seemed really excited about it.”
Jennifer Miller, Corning City Planning & Economic Development Director and a member of the Corning Gaffer District, said she toured K. Rae Salon and Spa and the entire building prior to the late December opening. Miller noted the significant investment that was made to upgrade the two-story building.
“I think it great to see it activated with the owner’s vision for the property and all the enthusiasm,” Miller said. “It’s a great addition to the Gaffer District and really the city as a whole.”
Myers said she has received a lot of thank yous for taking a building that was an eyesore and turning it into something fun.
“I feel like everyone’s been really receptive and excited,” Myers said. “I had reached out to Corning Inc. a few times over the years and asked about the building. They told me it was not for sale. Then finally last year, someone reached out to me from Corning Inc., told me it was for sale, and I put everything on the line to purchase it.”
Myers said the building is called Sweet Experience, and it is filled with K. Rae Salon & Spa, Allison Aesthetics is coming soon, and there is still a large open space for rent on the second floor of the building.
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K. Rae Salon & Spa and Allison Aesthetics were both located at 56 E. First St. prior to the opening on Steuben Street, Myers said. Allison Aesthetics will move from the First Street site to Steuben Street in early February.
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