SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Women fighting cancer and alopecia can now get a new look, thanks to a local business and a grant from Lackawanna County.
A little over a year ago, Lavish of Scranton began working on a new business idea to create and sell affordable, 100% human hair wigs to women who need them most, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Salon manager and stylist Elizabeth Mitchko has been working at Lavish Scranton for the last nine years.
She was also diagnosed with alopecia 13 years ago and wears a wig to work every day.
At the start of the new year, it was announced that the salon and spa would make 100% human hair wigs for women battling cancer or alopecia.
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"I struggled really hard trying to find proper wigs and just making me feel comfortable and me. Going through that journey and struggling, I wanted to do this for women to not feel that way," said Mitchko.
Business had grown significantly in the last eight months, and they could no longer keep up with demand.
Friday morning, the Lackawanna County Department of Economic Development presented the store with a $5,000 check to help meet that demand.
Mitchko said she was shocked by the donation.
"I understand the need for it because obviously I lost my hair. For other people around us to want to help and give to a community that no one really gives to is just incredible," shared Mitchko.
Owners Micah and Lauren were more than open to the idea that Mitchko brought up. Creating private rooms for women to feel more comfortable during the process.
"We don't want a woman sitting in her own bathroom shaving her own head. That is something all of our team members offer to their clients," said Lauren Woodard, owner of Lavish Scranton.
"But to offer to replace that hair. To replace that identity. To replace that confidence brings that offering full circle," continued Woodard.
The personal connection that Mitchko makes with her clients makes her job that much more gratifying.
"When I hear that they have kids or families and everything they have going on. It makes me think about my son. Just to help them live a normal life is everything to me," shared Mitchko.
Mitchko tells 28/22 News that a real hair wig purchased in New York City could cost over $4,000.
All the wigs at LaVish Scranton are customized to fit each client who walks through their doors at an affordable cost.
