VIP Beauty Supply store

Julie Baker | AnnArbor.com

VIP Beauty Supply owner Richard Smith was a stylist for 15 years before deciding to open his own business venture, which he believes will fill a niche for an underserved population in the Ypsilanti area.

"It's actually something I've been thinking about doing for a long time," Smith said. "I could have opened up any kind of store, but with beauty supply, I have some type of knowledge with that."

VIP opened June 7 at 30 N. Washington St., between Michigan Avenue and Pearl Street in downtown Ypsilanti.

Smith, who has two employees, said it's a "nice-sized" store, and will be using certain parts of it for storage space.

VIP sells a range of haircare products from combs and brushes to shampoos and conditioners. The store also sells high-end and affordable hair clippers and flat irons.

Smith believes his business will draw customers since it's within walking distance of the Eastern Michigan University's College of Business.

"It's an area where all the stylists are at, but not any beauty supply stores," Smith said. "I wanted to centralize it so people wouldn't have to go down to Detroit to buy hair products. It's right next to Eastern Michigan University. We pretty much wanted to make it convenient for all of the stylists and for the college students in the area."

VIP is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.