Mildred Elley opens doors to public-Mayor welcomes school to town

School's in! Monday, Mildred Elley and the Austin School of Spa Technology held their grand opening celebration at the new campus on Central Avenue.

Mayor Jerry Jennings and Mildred Elley President Faith Takes cut the ribbon at the tech school's new location at 855 Central Avenue, and ushered in a new era for the school. This marks the return of the school to Albany, and also the merging of the Austin School with the Mildred Elley School. The new facilities will also offer more space and expanded programming.

Jennings said he was pleased to welcome the venerable institution to Albany's Main Street, and said this was where the school belonged. He also thanked Anthony Capece, Executive Director for the Central BID, for all his help making the move possible.

The Central Avenue neighborhood turned out to welcome the new schools and give them a taste of What they can expect from our great restaurants on the Avenue. Shea's Restaurent from North Allen Street and Scenerio's Restaurant from the Clarion Hotel catered the event; serving geat treats from hamburgers and hotdogs to spinach puffs and an Ice Cream sundae bar . Gateway Diner even sponsered a entire table of cookies. Plato's Closet (818 Central; Same Plaza as Hollywood Video &  Carmines) was also on hand to provide students with information about their unique clothing store. Students from the Austin School's new massage therapy program offered the public free hand massages as a thank-you. Radio station Kiss 102.3 was broadcasting from the party, adding to the celebratory feeling of the event.

After the ribbon-cutting, Takes lead Jennings and his staff on a tour of the school, showing them the brand-new classrooms and library, and introducing them to the students and staff. Students in the midst of a hair clinic were evidently surprised and delighted by the drop-in visit, and Jennings seemed to enjoy the opportunity to talk & laugh with them. "Do you want the mayor to finish that?" he asked one student in the middle of a haircut.

Jennings also encouraged the students to enjoy the new facilities, and to take advantage of the city and everything Central Avenue has to offer.

The school is enjoying a healthy boost in admissions this semester, said Maria Neal, Admissions Director. Currently, 500 students are enrolled.