Two months after the salon Michael Waynes opened in July 2008, economists officially declared the United States in recession.

And owners Kim and Brett Swiatek didn't have to look far to find evidence that this was happening:  Their location in Wareham Crossing was surrounded by empty storefronts, and few people were drawn to their location as the plaza's major retailers were out of sight around the corner.

"I wouldn't want to relive it," said Kim.  "Business was very up and down, we didn't know whether we were going to get through."

But they are celebrating their two-year anniversary July 21, and things appear to have turned around.

While there are still five or six spots to fill in Wareham Crossing, the last year has brought T.J. Maxx in to fill the vacancy left by Linens N Things.  Directly across the parking lot from their full-service salon, a new Friendly's Express has opened, and Zen restaurant will soon be open which both Kim and Brett are very excited about - both as fans of ethnic food and because, as Kim said, "it will be packed."

Clients have also returned to more "pampering" services.  Facials and other skin services have picked up, said Kim, as well as hair colorings as people are eschewing "colors from a box" and returning to salon-mixed tints.

Swiatek is quick to credit her employees for the business' success.  There are eight employees including herself, six chairs for stylists, an esthetician that performs skin-care and makeup services, and manicures and pedicures are also available. The salon is also an official Aveda concept salon, meaning they only use that line of products, which are all natural and attract many customers.

But the most unique part of the salon is that they are the only non-franchise in Wareham Crossing.

"Everybody thinks I'm a franchise, because of the name," which does kind of sound like a high-end beauty product line.  In reality though, Michael and Wayne are the middle names of her two sons.

This has presented some challenges.

"Sometimes people call asking for a Michael or Wayne," added Brett.  "We tell them that they aren't available, they're at school, they'll have to get back to you."

On the other hand, Kim hypothesizes that the masculine name has attracted more male clients to her business.

And not being a franchise made the original decision-making for the store's design and layout particularly challenging.  There were no corporate-approved blueprints or color schemes, and many salon fixtures changed to work with a rather unconventional 1,880 square-foot space.

But being in the mall has helped with foot traffic, and once customers enter the store, the charm of a family business becomes evident.  In fact, Kim said that all of her stylists have built up a clientele primarily from walk-ins.  Plus, when planning for events with the mall's development company, they don't have to always "run it by corporate" like their neighbors.

And they can celebrate their anniversary the way they want...sort of.

"For five years, I want fireworks and balloons," joked Kim. For their two-year celebration, they'll offer refreshments and a raffle for a free makeover.

"If we could make it through the recession the first year, I think we're going to be allright."