As many as 30 new salon studios may open in New Town this spring – all located on a property near the end of Main Street.
Sola Salon Studios will be opening in New Town in early April, across Main Street from Opus 9 Steakhouse, Sola franchisee David Aschheim said.
Sola operates in more than 400 locations across the country, with more than 10,000 beauty professionals. Sola rents built-out, one-room studio space to salon professionals, and the New Town Sola will have about 30 separate studios.
The businesses operating within Sola studios can include hairstylists and barbers, estheticians, massage therapists, micro-blading, nail technicians and wax specialists. Studios come equipped with sinks, cabinets, counters and enough floor space for a chair or table.
Each owner will customize their studio with their own décor, music and equipment, and set their own hours.
“Our role is to provide them with a solid foundation from which they can grow a business,” Aschheim said. “That’s the fun part of my job. We get to see people have success.”
The company provides resources and education for salon professionals, including discounts on popular salon products, business webinars and classes, and branding and website advice. Aschheim said he also plays the role of friend and cheerleader for those who lease with him as he strives to create a community and support network in Sola.
He tells his tenants that while they go into business for themselves, they aren’t in business by themselves.
“We don’t have success if they don’t have success,” Aschheim said. “… It’s about creating a community experience where we’re looking out for one another.”
Aschheim said the New Town salon will be his ninth Sola, joining six in Richmond and two more in Hampton Roads.
He added that he is very excited about the location of the newest Sola, as he believes New Town’s restaurants and movie theater will help drive business in his salon.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sola to New Town Main after a long awaited extensive custom fit up that will continue the transformation of the ‘Top of Main’ Street into a destination for fitness, food and health and beauty offerings,” said Drew Haynie, first vice president of Thalhimer, the real estate broker for New Town. “Sola’s unique co-working environment for salons professionals will augment the dozen or more beauty concepts that already call New Town home.”
Aschheim said weekly rent for a standard studio is $220. Construction is still in progress, and he said the salon’s soft opening will likely be in the first week of April once tenants are settled and the salon receives a certificate of occupancy.
