Unlicensed Grand Avenue salon fined

August 27, 2011 at 12:17AM

A woman operating an unlicensed beauty salon was fined $4,000 by the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners this month.

Melissa Gabriel opened Spa Gabriella on Grand Avenue in St. Paul in June 2010 without getting a license for the shop. Gabriel's two personal salon manager licenses expired at the end of 2008.

In February, the board told Gabriel she had to close. It cited her for reusing porous materials, improper tool storage and unsanitized equipment.

Someone later complained to the board about sanitation issues, including the reuse of linens and facial sponges.

As of June, Gabriel continued to operate without licenses and employ unlicensed workers.

Gabriel was told to complete an eight-hour sanitation course to be eligible for licensure.

JANE FRIEDMANN

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