Sola Salons has cut the ribbon on its largest and most ambitious location yet: a 30K-square-foot flagship in Minneapolis boasting 101 studios plus amenities that include an on-site beauty supply store, wellness center, content creation area, and space for education and events.
Owned by veteran Sola franchisee Erin Elgin, Sola Northeast Twin Cities opened on Oct. 4 and had its official ribbon cutting and a celebratory block party on Oct. 19.
Prior to opening, the facility had leased out ¾ of its available studios to independent professionals providing beauty, grooming, spa, wellness, fitness, and body art services.
“We wanted to build an entrepreneurial hub where beauty professionals can grow, recharge, connect with one another, and embody their true authentic selves,” Elgin says.
“This facility is truly designed with their needs and desires in mind. The scale and amenities of Northeast Minneapolis make it unlike anything else in the industry.”
Features include an on-site Beauty Craft wholesale supply store, a content creation space with a podcast studio and photo nook, an event/ education center, a break room with games, mail services, laundry and shower facilities, outdoor picnic and vending facilities, garage parking, and a wellness center with a gym plus yoga and meditation spaces.
It's the 14th Sola location owned across the Twin Cities by Elgin and her business partner, Patrick Elgin. Their business offices are also located in the new flagship.
“This location represents the future of beauty entrepreneurship,” says Sola’s president and COO, Daryl Hurst, noting the lifestyle amenities that are designed to help professionals grow, recharge, and promote their work.
Two-year, “easy-out” contracts at the new location include weekly rent on studios that come with standard salon chairs, sinks, and storage, plus move-in and setup help. There's also an option to add personalized equipment and decor, Sola says.
The world’s largest salon suite franchise, Sola Salons was established in 2004 when it opened its first location in Denver. It now has more than 740 locations across the U.S. and Canada, serving more than 22K independent beauty, grooming, and wellness professionals.