MENDOTA – Jackie Fitzgerald has always had a lot for being a stylist in a salon.

She’s worked for others. She’s worked at home. She had her own salon.

The stylist who has been doing hair for 18 years is now returning to her own chair in her salon, version two.

“Jacquesi originated from Jackie and Jessie because the first Jacquesi Salon and Spa was my sister and I, so we put our names together,” Fitzgerald said. “The Jacquesi 2.0 version is just me. It felt full circle, to bring Jacquesi back because I always get support from my sister. Maybe someday, I’ll get her in here.

“I feel like it was time. I’m a firm believer in what is presented to you in the moment is going to come full circle; divine intervention if you want to say that. I firmly believe I was put back in the position that I am to bring Jacquesi back into the community and bring something back to the people.”

The original location, 719 Washington Street, is now owned by First State Bank.

But when Fitzgerald was thinking about relaunching for the second version, she kind of already knew where she wanted to go,  903 Main Street. 

“I manifested the location. I drove past it many times and I saw the for-rent sign. I never had the courage to reach out,” Fitzgerald said. “I didn’t know who owned it. Then I had a dream that I was here, and I was doing hair here. I found out who the landlord is, and my daughter is friends with his daughter. I asked his daughter to put a bug in her dad’s ear.

“We met on February 2. He was very excited to bring Jacquesi back to the community as well and to rent out a space he had open.

“I think I manifested it.”

The date Feb. 2 is familiar as it’s the date in 2010 when Jackie and Jessie closed the doors of Jacquesi in 2010.

The sisters had lost their mother Joyce, who was heavily involved with the business, and they wanted closure.

“Grief does bizarre things. It kind of blankets you and you’re not making rash decisions,” Fitzgerald said. “Fast forward to Feb. 2, 2024, and I said yes to another location to bring Jacquesi back to life.”

April 1 was the first day Jacquesi 2.0 was founded, and April 2 was the first day of appointments.

Jacquesi 2.0 offers extensions, hair coloring, haircuts, eyebrow waxing, lip waxing, eye lash lifts and tints, and sensory inclusive services. Fitzgerald plans to have a nail technician by the fall to offer nail services.

“It’s been a whirlwind. I’ve felt so much love and excitement from so many people. People next door pop in. People walking down the street pop in,” Fitzgerald said. “I’ve gotten a lot of text messages and messages on Facebook. It has brought so much joy to me that people are excited about it.”

Jacquesi 2.0 is primarily booked by appointments but if the open sign is on, she is there and waiting for you.

To book an appointment or for more information call 815-343-1731, check out jackiefitzgerald.glossgenius.com, or the Jacquesi 2.0 Facebook and Instagram pages.