By Allison Musante, Staff Writer
Allison MusanteStaff Writer
La Jolie Salon and Spa in Princeton is donating its services and partnering with local businesses for a charitable evening of wine and pampering to raise funds in honor of a Plainsboro teen killed by a train almost two years ago.
Tere Villamil, La Jolie president and CEO, said she is hoping to raise several thousand dollars for Assistance in Recovery, a behavioral health consulting company, in honor of Kenny Baker’s death in 2009.
The salon is hosting a happy hour between 4 and 8 p.m. on April 7 at its 4 Hulfish St. location.
”We’re asking for a minimum donation of $5 to enter, but anyone is, of course, allowed to give more than that if they wish,” she said.
The first 25 attendees will receive a $10 gift certificate towards spa services. But all attendees will take home a gift bag of product samples, and be entered into a raffle for a $500 gift basket filled with hair styling tools, products, and gift certificates toward a hair cut and color services at the spa.
Ms. Villamil, who has owned La Jolie since November, said AiR was chosen as her first fund-raiser after learning that one of her stylists had a personal connection to it.
”During an open house we had in December, (AiR) shared their interest with us that evening and we felt strongly that it would be a great organization to start with,” she said.
”We’re planning to do these charities once every quarter for a different foundation each time. The next one we’re planning is for autism, probably in June or July.”
Attendees are also invited to learn about the spa’s services, with complimentary manicures, pedicures and neck and shoulder massages. Finger foods and wine will be provided by Princeton’s La Mezzaluna and Cool Vines.
The salon’s 40 employees are encouraged to donate as well, by paying $5 a day to wear jeans to work this week, Wednesday to Saturday.
Ms. Villamil said the event also serves as the official introduction of the business to the community under new management and with new services. The salon opened in the 1950s and claims to be the first woman-owned business in downtown Princeton.
The cocktail party will also include models, acting as mannequins, sporting outfits from Rouge and Zoe in Princeton, which has agreed to donate the clothes as part of the night’s activities. Ms. Villamil said she is also working with the Nassau Inn to launch a “Stay and Spa” deal to marry hotel accommodations with spa services for a discounted rate.
The month of May will mark the second anniversary of Mr. Baker’s death, which was believed to be a suicide, after he was struck by a train on the Northeast Corridor tracks of the New Jersey Transit. The 19-year-old was a senior at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North.

