The closing of Lloyd Center marks the end of an era for Portland and the start of a new, full-circle chapter for Beau Monde Academy back where it all began, at 525 SW 12th Ave in the West End neighborhood.
Au Revoir to a Portland Icon
For decades, Lloyd Center was a landmark in Northeast Portland, a place where people shopped, skated, worked, and gathered as part of daily city life. As redevelopment plans moved forward, the mall’s tenants, including Beau Monde Academy, were informed that Lloyd Center would permanently close and the property would be transformed into a new mixed-use neighborhood.
We received official notice on April 16, 2026, that the mall would be closing on August 8, 2026, and that we would need to be fully moved out by August 31, 2026. That gave us just three months to find a new location, move an entire academy, and reopen, an almost impossible task. We had called Lloyd Center home for nearly 15 years, so leaving wasn’t just a logistical challenge, it was an emotional one as well.
For our students, alumni, and staff, Lloyd Center was more than just a building. It was where countless haircuts, facials, manicures, class projects, and graduations took place. Its closure has been both nostalgic and emotional, closing a meaningful chapter in our school’s story.
Beau Monde Academy’s Relocation Journey
When Lloyd Center’s closure became official, Beau Monde Academy has had to relocate its entire campus, classrooms, clinic floor, administrative offices, and student service to a new home.
In making this move, we focused on:
• Protecting students’ education and keeping classes and clinic services running with as little disruption as possible.
• Maintaining accessibility via public transit and major roads
• Preserving our welcoming, professional school culture in a new environment
That search led us somewhere both new and familiar: 525 SW 12th Ave in downtown Portland.Even though this location is temporary, it was absolutely the right move for our timeline and, frankly, the best choice when we considered everything we were facing.
Back to Our Roots at 525 SW 12th Ave
Our new temporary location at 525 SW 12th Ave is more than just another address—it is where Beau Monde Academy originally began, bringing our story full circle. Returning to this space reconnects us with our earliest history, the foundation on which the academy was built, and the spirit of innovation and community that started it all.
We are genuinely excited to be part of the West End neighborhood again, joining a vibrant downtown community that reflects the energy and creativity of the beauty industry.
Why the West End Location Is So Special
Being at 525 SW 12th Ave in Portland’s West End offers a range of benefits for students, guests, and staff. This downtown setting provides an ideal backdrop for professional beauty education and real-world experience:
• Central, downtown location
Students can easily reach the academy from across the metro area, with straightforward access from major streets and freeways typical of Portland’s central city.
• Transit-accessible
The area around SW 12th is served by multiple bus lines and is walkable from MAX and streetcar stops in the downtown core, making it easier for students who rely on public transportation to attend classes and clinic shifts.
• Walkable, urban neighborhood
The West End is a dense, pedestrian-friendly area with sidewalks, crosswalks, and frequent street activity. This creates a lively environment where students can step out for lunch, coffee, or errands between classes.
• Close to restaurants, cafés, and shops
The surrounding blocks are dotted with local cafés, eateries, and small businesses, giving students and guests convenient options for food and services before or after their appointments or classes. This everyday convenience supports student life and makes visits more enjoyable.
• Near arts, culture, and entertainment
Downtown Portland is home to theaters, music venues, galleries, and nightlife spots, many of them within walking distance or a short transit ride from SW 12th Ave.
For future beauty professionals, being close to the city’s creative scene provides inspiration and connection to the broader world of fashion, art, and culture.
• Professional, city-center atmosphere
Training in a downtown environment helps students feel like part of the professional community they are preparing to enter. Working on clients in a busy city center mimics the pace and expectations of many real-world salons, spas, and studios.
• Networking opportunities with local businesses
The West End and nearby districts host salons, boutiques, hospitality businesses, and other service providers. Being embedded in this neighborhood creates natural opportunities for partnerships, guest speakers, and potential employment connections.
• Full-circle sense of community and legacy
Because 525 SW 12th Ave is where Beau Monde Academy first began, the location carries history and meaning. Returning here strengthens our connection to longtime alumni and the school’s legacy, even as we continue to innovate and grow.
Looking Ahead: A New Era in a Familiar Place
Although leaving Lloyd Center was a significant change, relocating to 525 SW 12th Ave has allowed Beau Monde Academy to:
• Continue delivering hands-on training in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and related programs
• Get back to a robust clinic floor experience in a dynamic downtown setting
• Align schedules and services with the realities of modern student lifestyles and the evolving beauty industry
We are proud to honor our past at Lloyd Center while embracing our future back at the place where Beau Monde Academy first opened its doors. Being part of the West End neighborhood again is not just a practical move, it is an exciting opportunity to grow within one of Portland’s most vibrant urban communities.
A Message to Our Community
To everyone who visited Beau Monde Academy at Lloyd Center, whether you came in for a haircut, a facial, a manicure, to explore enrolling, or to attend school, thank you for being part of that chapter of our story.
To our students and alumni, your memories the smell of caramel corn from Joe Brown’s as you prepared for your clients, catching a performance at the ice rink, or joining an impromptu lap with the mall walkers, are now part of Portland’s larger history with Lloyd Center. And to those just discovering us now, we’re excited to welcome you into our new space and show you how Beau Monde Academy has grown and evolved, even as the city around us changes.
To our staff, students, and clients, thank you for the grace, support, and kindness you have shown us throughout this transition. These have been incredibly stressful times, and moving and relocating a business is never east. Especially for a small school and independent business like ours. Your patience, encouragement, and belief in Beau Monde Academy have carried us through every hurdle. You have no idea how much we appreciate you, and we are deeply grateful to have you as part of our community as we step into this new chapter together.
Lloyd Center’s doors may have closed, but for Beau Monde Academy, the relocation is not an ending, it is the beginning of a new era in beauty education in Portland.
Best,
Beau Monde Academy