The 300-square-foot, two-seat salon space that makes up
SoHo Salon’s new location at 729 Lincoln Avenue may be smaller than its prior location at 419 E. 8th Street, but owner and hairstylist Benito Barron says having a smaller, more intimate space was kind of the point.
“It’s a really boutique-style, signature salon,” Barron says, adding that he painted the walls of the main salon in a light lavender, cocoa bean color and modeled the rear entry to embrace a resort feel.
Soho Salon’s September 5 grand opening on Lincoln Avenue was not just the beginning of a new location, but the beginning of a new SoHo Salon experience – one that Barron says he tried to model after his Chicago location Salon Atelier, which has enjoyed steady success since opening on the third floor at 2950 W. Chicago Avenue in 2013.
What this means is that salon and spa services at SoHo Salon are now by appointment only, which Barron says will not only allow for a more intimate setting, but also give him the wiggle room to continue growing his Chicago location, as well.
“It does create a more intimate setting,” he says, “and we’re not turning away people, we’re just offering something more exclusive. It’s kind of like fine dining.”
With 25 years of experience in cutting hair, Barron has been an educator for 14, teaching at Stanley Harris and Careerline Tech Center. He says much of what he will be able to offer at the “new” SoHo Salon is directly influenced by some of the more challenging and unique styles and techniques he has learned in Chicago, and this new location is more about bringing that level of service to his Holland clientele.
“I’m not looking to leave them, I’m looking to upgrade them,” he says. "Truly beautiful hair makes a woman feel fantastic and it’s an art form, and that’s what I want to bring to everyone’s attention.”
Written by Anya Zentmeyer
Images Courtesy of Benito Baron
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