Jeff Alford fell in love in Downtown Thorold.
It was love at first sight when Jeff, CEO of the CBON Group (Canada’s largest master distributor of beauty products) based in Richmond Hill, visited Thorold to assess locations for a Creata Beauty store in Niagara.
The beautiful, historic facades of so many heritage buildings in the area captured Alford’s attention. He figured the beauty and heritage in Downtown Thorold would be a perfect match for his Creata store. After a few dates meeting with real estate professionals in NIagara, Jeff made a commitment to open a store in Thorold to serve customers from across the Peninsula and Hamilton.
In January 2021, Creata Beauty opened its new store in the De Divitiis Group building, 16 Front Street South, Thorold. The Niagara Student Living apartments occupy the upper floors of the 4-storey building (formerly Central Home Hardware location across from Henderson’s Pharmacy).
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Grand Opening
A grand opening event was held on November 30th attended by local dignitaries, customers, and staff to celebrate the birth of a new Creata store on Front Street, Thorold.
In front of the new store, Marco Marino, Manager of Economic Development introduced presenters of certificates by Serge Carpino, BIA Chair, Tim Whalen, Niagara Regional Councillor, and Terry Ugulini, Mayor, City of Thorold. City Councillors Ken Sentance and Fred Neale joined Creata staff to mark the special occasion. The Niagara River Lions mascot showed up to raise our community spirit.
Rachael shows the Rania Hair Extensions display 
Anita enters ballot in prize draw 
Mayor Terry Ugulini on a store tour with CBON’s Jeff Alford
At the official ribbon cutting ceremony, attendees learned about Creata’s educational program as part of their services.
Creata Beauty offers extensive online training in all areas of aesthetic education. Those interested in advancing their professional career in the beauty industry will be able to take educational programs presented by Creata in their new “star location,” said Jeff..
“This is a great opportunity to offer education for beauty professionals so that they can open up new businesses to help support themselves and their families.”
Salon Consultant Susan O’Sullivan
Give Toys for Cash in Niagara Toy Drive
CBON Group and Creata are giving back to the community by presenting a Niagara Toy Drive. In a “toys for cash” campaign, for every unwrapped toy you donate, Creata will gift you $10 in Creata Cash ( used for purchases made in their store). Cash donations and non-perishable food will also be collected to support families in need. Pictured above, Rachael and Jeannie invite the community to support the Niagara Toy Drive at Creata.
Creata Open to Professionals and Retail Customers
Serving Thorold and the Niagara Region, the Creata store is open to the public and to professionals. Creata Beauty will provide all the products needed for hair, nails, lashes, and brows, as well as premier beauty and business education.
On the commercial side of the store, we see Creata offers licensed hair stylists and beauty professionals an extensive selection of products from top brand names. For retail customers, the public is invited to check out a special section in the store to purchase hair and beauty supplies.
As a beauty products wholesaler, Creata offers brands such as Amika, Pureology, Olplex, Redken, Wella, Joico, Nioxin, Crew, among others. The Creata selection covers beauty supplies for manicures, pedicures, lash extensions, nail art as well as Rania Hair Extensions.
Creata says professional beauty is essential for mental health. They believe that looking good translates to feeling well. During the pandemic the beauty industry was deemed non-essential, and Canadians were left to handle all their personal beauty care on their own. Since the re-opening of salons and spas, clients have expressed how much their beauty care providers have meant to them and how they can’t do without them.
Former nail salon owner, Kristina Stodulski was affected by the pandemic and forced to shut down. Currently, opportunities are key for her to be able to return to her business.
“I’m thrilled to learn that a beauty retail location has opened its doors in Thorold. Beauty professionals that have lost their businesses or jobs are searching for new opportunities to make money in professional beauty.”
Kristina Stodulski
Creata’s Niagara location was founded amid the pandemic. Despite the beauty industry being hit the hardest and causing several shutdowns this did not deter Creata from forging ahead and offering new hope and employment to the community.
For more information about Creata Beauty go to www.creatabeauty.com