SALONZ EN LAS
NOTICIAS
BY BETH FEINSTEIN-BARTL
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Imagine walking
into a salon and choosing from an array of beauty professionals, each
of whom has a private suite.
Marc Finer learned
about the concept while on a trip to Cleveland and thought: Why not
bring his own version to South Florida.
"I just flipped,"
said Finer, about the salon in Ohio. "I thought it would be a win-win
for everyone - the beauty professionals, the clients and me.
He scouted several
shopping centers and settled on opening his SALONZ beauty suites inside
the Sheridan Plaza, 4921 Sheridan Street, Hollywood.
The business, which
opened in the fall, occupies a 5,000-square foot space that formerly
housed a Washington Mutual Bank branch. The interior has been redesigned
to accommodate 24 suites, 15 of which are filled by hairstylists, nail
technicians, skin-care specialists, massage therapists, and one air-brush
tanner, Finer said.
Each beauty professional
rents his or her own suite. Finer acts as landlord.
"It allows
them to have their own business," he said.
Each suite comes
fully equipped. "All they need to do is bring their own personal
tools, décor and clients," Finer said.
One of the major
benefits, he said, is that a single suite can hold only one or two operators,
which means more personalized, one-on-one attention for the client.
Hairstylist Bonita
Selman, owner of BGS Hair Studio, said renting space allows her to
offer a higher level of individualized service.
"It's more
privacy, and my clients love it," Selman said. "They say it's
better than they ever expected it to be."
Selman has outfitted
her suite with hair-care products, handbags, scarves, hair clips, earrings
and watches for sale.
Robin Landry, an
esthetician who operates Skin Unique, said her clients appear to love
the SALONZ concept, too.
"They don't
have to deal with the noise from hair dryers and people socializing,"
she said.
Landry said she
has created her own oasis, with hanging draperies, soothing music and
candles. From inside her suite, she offers three skin-care lines.
Kunnee Chew, a massage
therapist and owner of Healthtune Up and Chi Revive, said being at SALONZ
gives her the chance to "do my own thing and be my own boss".
She also enjoys
working with other professionals. "Everyone is very nice and friendly,"
Chew said. "I get referrals from the other tenants."
