CARBONDALE, IL — E Claires Salon in Carbondale is taking a major step in the community by changing its business name to become more inclusive to LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The new name, ‘E2 (squared) Salon,’ comes after owner Elizabeth Struzs’s non-binary child changed their name. Struzs said she needed to rebrand to show support, provide a space where members of the LGBTQIA+ community could feel safe, and maintain her stance of inclusivity in the area.
Opened in 2014 as E Claires Salon, Struzs’s primary vision for the business was to provide services to people from different backgrounds and sexual orientations. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community herself, Strauzs said the move was imperative for her family.
“When my kid changed their name a few years ago, I started thinking about how do we make sure that I put my money where my mouth is,” Strusz said. “I say that I’m part of this, but if I own a company and I’m using the name I gave my child, but they don’t use it anymore, am I actually showing that I’m part of the community?”
Strusz notes that the salon offers services for everyone regardless of age, sexual orientation, or disability. To avoid offending her customers, certain parts of the salon display different posters, flags, and content catering to various minorities.
She hopes that other businesses in Carbondale will follow her initiative and become more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community.
“If you’re a company and you want to be able to do more with being an efficient based company, it’s the most rewarding thing you can do in the world. Find your mission, stand behind it, and run,” Strusz said.
E-square is not the only place in Carbondale where LGBTQ+ individuals can find acceptance. Just two blocks away, the Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ Center serves as a sanctuary for LGBTQ members of all ages.
Team Lead Alex Waller mentioned that he has observed changes in the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community over the years. Since moving to Carbondale in 2000, he has noticed a more open and accepting community.
Waller often gets his hair cut at E2 (squared) salon and is optimistic that the name change will attract more members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“It makes people feel good,” Waller said. “A lot of times, you know, especially if you’re transgender, you go into a place; I don’t feel comfortable and maybe use different pronouns you’re nonbinary. But you have a space to go get your haircut.”
Whitney Graham is new to Carbondale and takes classes at Southern Illinois University. She used to volunteer at Rainbow Cafe, teaching writing to children there.
Although she has never been to E2 (squared) Salon, she is looking forward to trying it—especially because she knows it’s a space where she can go without being judged or misgendered.
“I think that’s great,” Graham said. “I haven’t heard much about it, but it think that everybody should consider making an inclusive name of their business.”
