LA GRANDE — Sometimes growth opportunities come from a business disruption, as Capelli Hair Salon owners Kim and Wayne Brown found out in December.

The couple were notified by email on Dec. 13 that The Carrington Company — a commercial real estate investment and management firm based in Eureka, California — would not be renewing the salon’s lease and Capelli Hair Salon would need to be out of the La Grande Town Center by the end of January.

“It’s just overwhelming,” Brown said at the time. “This space was perfect.”

Despite her long history with the business, it was clear that change had forcefully arrived, and Brown didn’t know what she was going to do. She had herself and three employees’ jobs hanging in the balance, not to mention loyal clients to serve. This was a significant business disruption, but when word got out, Brown received an unexpected call from Larena Overton, owner of Londin Hair Company, at 1103 Washington Ave., La Grande. She had a proposal to make.

“Larena thought it might be a good solution if I could buy her salon so that everyone could keep their jobs,” Brown said.

The deal was sealed between Overton and the Browns, who opened for business on Jan. 27 in the Washington Avenue location under a new business name, Capelli Hair & Spa.

“This is the second time I’ve bought this business,” Brown said. “I had nothing in mind (to solve this) before talking to Larena. This was the perfect solution because everywhere else we would have to do remodeling and plumbing. It was going to be a huge expense. This was a blessing.”

What began as a business nightmare turned into an opportunity to expand into a larger salon space all prepared for immediate use. Brown now has six hair designers — four, including herself, from the original Capelli salon — and a larger clientele. As for the salon’s layout, it has six chairs and a nail station room. The salon has two pedicure tubs so that a client can bring a friend and enjoy that spa service together.

“We never had spa services in the other place,” Brown said. “For that reason, we changed the business name to include the word spa.”

At the new Capelli Hair & Spa, the six hair designers represent more than 100 years of hair designing experience.

“Just between two of us hair designers, we have 60 years of experience,” Brown said.

Capelli Hair Salon had operated out of its Island Avenue location since the very beginning. The business originally opened as Botan Hair Salon in 1992, when the La Grande Town Center was still an indoor mall, according to longtime employee Theresa Taylor. Botan Hair Salon became Capelli Hair Salon when the business changed hands.

Kim Brown worked for Capelli Hair Salon for 23 years before she and her husband, Wayne, bought it more than 10 years ago. Now, Kim Brown is excited about what the future holds for the business in its new location.

“We’d like everyone to come see our new space and meet our hair designers,” she said.

All of the hair designers are eager to welcome the community to Capelli Hair & Spa, and they accept walk-ins and new clients. Pedicures run $55; women’s and girls’ cuts start at $25, and men’s and boys’ cuts at $15. Capelli also offers nails, facial waxing, hair colors, perms, and prom up-do styles.

Appointments may be made by calling 541-963-0747. The salon, at 1103 Washington Ave., La Grande, is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with later evenings by appointment. After-hour calls will go to the message machine and will be answered the next business day.