NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WVEC) -- Thousands of beauty school students and teachers are trying to figure out their next step after Regency Beauty Institute suddenly shut down 79 campuses, including one in Newport News.
A majority of the students and faculty only found out about the closure late last night on social media or through a text message that their beauty school is closing.
Regency released a statement on its website Wednesday night that they are permanently closing all 79 of their campuses, after more than 50 years of educating cosmetology students.
According to the website, the company does not have the money to still run the business. They also list a few reasons as to why, one being the declining number of cosmetology students nationwide.
Regency Beauty Institute closes its doors, including the Newport News campus. Company confirms on its website #13NewsNow. pic.twitter.com/Ec8wWUJfJe
— Niko Clemmons (@13nikoclemmons) September 29, 2016
"You can't ignore the fact that our dreams, our investments, the amount of money we paid... $20,000 we put into this has basically gone down the drain," said Regency student Elyssia Henderson.
There are 60 students enrolled at Regency in Newport News, four full-time educators, and five part-time substitutes. They've all been spending the morning cleaning out their work stations and taking out their equipment.
Students & educators outside Regency Beauty Institute in Newport News very emotional following the closing of their school #13NewsNow. pic.twitter.com/GPZAoMth1a
— Niko Clemmons (@13nikoclemmons) September 29, 2016