Allie Greene didn’t anticipate moving when she renovated her salon, Steel Magnolias, earlier this spring.

But then the news about the Anthony Wayne building, where she leased space at 1 High St., being constructed into a boutique hotel and restaurant was announced.

“It was beautiful, and we were set to reopen,” Greene said. “The week we were going to reopen was the week they sold it. So we got a notice to leave, and we had like 30 days to find this place.”

“This place” is at 120 N. Second St., and may be somewhat fortuitous as the cross street is Magnolia Street. She found it with the help of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and the city of Hamilton.

Mallory Greenham, Hamilton’s assistant to the City Manager, said she’s “been in communication with Allie many times over the past few years” as she continued to grow Steel Magnolias.

“It just keeps getting better and better,” she said.

Though 120 N. Second St. is her third location in five years of being in business, she’s excited about the new spot.

“I think this is just a perfect location for us,” Greene said. “We’re right next to the park, so we’ll be able to be involved with the Hamilton Flea, be involved with all of the concerts, be involved with all of these small businesses.”

Greene wouldn’t want to have relocated to any other city, saying “it’s so cool to be a part” of the city’s continual resurgence.

“I love the community,” she said. “I love just all the new businesses they have going in up here. I love the fact that everybody loves this old city. We’re taking what we have, and we’re doing our best with it, and we’re making it beautiful.”

Greene hopes in another five years, her salon will have “exploded with growth,” saying it would be “just pure beauty.”

In addition to growing her brand, and being a green company, she can see her salon and spa doing everything from hair, skin and nails, and possibly yoga.

“We want to do it all,” she said.

Michael D. Pitman has been a reporter in southwest Ohio since 1999. He's covered local governments in Warren and Butler counties, as well as state and national issues. He currently covers the cities of Fairfield and Hamilton.