Michelle Acton to Open Bubbles Hair Salon November 5
The new Portland hair salon, located at 78 Fortuneswell, will celebrate its grand opening early next month.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Michelle Acton will open Bubbles Hair Salon in Portland on November 5, 2026. The new business is situated at 78 Fortuneswell and will operate daily from 9am until 7pm.
Why it matters
The salon is named in honor of the owner's late mother, Hazel Diffen, who passed away in 2024. The opening follows the owner's recovery from a health struggle involving sepsis and pneumonia earlier this year.
Owner Michelle Acton brings 35 years of professional hairdressing experience to the venture. The shop maintains a standard operating schedule of 10 hours per day.
The players
Michelle Acton
She is the owner of the new business and a veteran hairdresser with over three decades of industry experience.
Hazel Diffen
She was the mother of the salon owner and the namesake of the new establishment.
Mayor of Portland
This local government official plans to participate in the ceremonial opening of the new salon.
The details
The salon space at 78 Fortuneswell is currently undergoing renovations ahead of the scheduled launch. The Mayor of Portland is slated to attend the upcoming opening ceremony.
Timeline
Hazel Diffen died in 2024.
Michelle Acton was hospitalized for sepsis and pneumonia in August 2026.
Bubbles Hair Salon will open on November 5, 2026.
Market Landscape
The opening of a new salon in Portland follows the 2024 death of Hazel Diffen, which serves as the emotional foundation for the business. This move reflects a broader trend of independent service providers leveraging personal legacy to establish new storefronts.
Local residents looking for new grooming services can visit the facility starting November 5. The salon will provide daily accessibility with hours ranging from 9am to 7pm.
The takeaway
Starting a new business after a significant health challenge or personal loss requires careful planning. Prospective entrepreneurs can look to this opening as an example of balancing personal legacy with daily operational demands.
Further reading
For more information on local business activity, visit the Portland Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dorset Echo.
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