BLDC funded salon holds grand opening in South Boston

The Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC), East Boston Savings Bank and the Massachusetts Small Business Association (SBA) partnered to provide funding for a new start up salon, Love and Mercy, located in South Boston, which opened its doors at a grand opening on Tuesday, April 17, 2018The salon is located on the ground floor of the new Aloft Hotel on D Street.

Patty Martin, the salon founder, has more than a decade of experience in the hair and beauty industry. In opening Love and Mercy, Martin’s goal is to ensure that the salon provides a trusted destination where clients will receive the highest quality hair services with superior customer service. 

The BLDC works to increase employment opportunities for Boston residents by providing small business loans with a focus on commercial, industrial and service companies. The BLDC is a private non-profit corporation governed by an independent board of trustees. The day to day operation of the program is provided by the Boston Planning & Development Agency’s (BPDA).

The salon’s grand opening also marks a milestone for the BLDC. Over the past year, the BLDC has closed over $800,000 in new loans for businesses that are either owned or co-owned by women entrepreneurs.