A new concept for hair styling salons in West Michigan has hit Grand Rapids, and along with it comes new job opportunities for stylists.
BANG Blow-dry Bar hopes to reintroduce a time when women used to get their hair washed and styled every week, and to recreate the social circle that brings moms, daughters and girlfriends together for gossip and laughs.
Situated at 3 Oakes St. SE, between
The Pyramid Scheme and
Mos Eisley's Tattoos, BANG specializes in shampooing and blow-dry styling in an hour or less, and offers a full menu of other salon specialties -- cuts, color, perms, full makeup, makeup touch-ups -- for men and women. Owner and stylist Lindsey Norton says she loves doing makeup and was in charge of hair and make-up for both Martin Short and Kevin Nealon during Laughfest 2012.
"I want to bring back the weekly hair-do appointment," says Norton. "From what I see and hear from clients, most people think they have to have a haircut. Looking back, [weekly styling appointments] is how women used to take care of themselves. I'd love to have people come to something that's a regular social event."
Norton has already hired two stylists and is training them in her self-styled "blow dry academy," so they'll know all the techniques for using blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons to create contemporary hairstyles that will last three or four days.
She wants to add another three or four stylists, both part-time and full-time, as business increases, and says she's looking for stylists who want to do something new.
"We can do a makeup touch-up and refresh your hairstyle before you meet up with your girlfriends for happy hour or dinner," Norton says.
A grand opening ribbon cutting with Mayor George Heartwell is Weds. April 11, 5 p.m.
Hours: Tues.-Thurs: 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Fri. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Mondays and early mornings by appointments only.
Source: Lindsey Norton, BANG Blow-dry Bar; Media Release,
Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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