New Age Salon (NAS) is in the process of moving into impressive new digs on Hertel Avenue. I spoke to 'salonstress' Amanda Bamberg regarding the development and what it means for the business and the street:
Will NAS occupy the whole building?
Yes! It is the perfect size for the size of my business- 1600 sq feet, gaining 400 feet from our original location.
What new services will you offer?
Everyone is asking what we are adding to our menu. Our formula has worked for so long, so why would we change it now? We are a concept salon for men and women specializing in hair coloring, cutting, extensions and my own makeup line, Sally Peabody. We also offer facial waxing. We are a Bumble and Bumble network salon (you have to be approved to carry them) and there are only a couple of us in the Buffalo area. We use Davines color from Italy. I found it while cutting hair in Helsinki, Finland and we are still the only salon that I know of in WNY carrying their line.
How many employees will you have and what services will they be offering?
I now have 9 employees. When I opened in 2001, (age 19) it was just me, I had a buzzer on the door. I have grown in size every year since the first year as far as revenue, employees and clientele. They won't let you buy a building at that age, they won't even give you a small loan or take you seriously. We have a top website on Google offering online booking which is so current and convenient, nearly 50% of our clients book online now.
Is this the first commercial building that you have owned? What was the inspiration?
The reason I bought the building? It was serendipitous. I was looking for a while, it was time to make room to grow. I was born and raised in Buffalo and plan on staying here for good. So why keep paying rent? My husband and I were on our way to dinner on Hertel one night in April and I saw it out of the corner of my eye. The building I have always lusted after- for sale. I screamed, "stop the car!" and called immediately. I was in the next day and made my offer. The building was originally a bank, then Hertel Coin And Stamp and most recently Michael Donnelly interior design. I remember when it was for sale 5 years ago... and the timing wasn't right. But now it is truly meant to be.
I have been working with architect Brad Wales, local designers at 'room' on Hertel, a NY salon designer, Renee Blundon, as well as a sleek company out of Italy for our equipment. Not to mention reclaimed barn-board from Buffalo hardwood, lockers from Buffalo ReUse and other elements which must remain a secret until I open the door. It's a whole different world, building a salon with an actual budget and computer compared to being a 19 year old girl making things work somehow, building as I went.
What events will you offer?
Our first event will be our 10 year celebration/ grand opening party on new years eve. We will also continue to host Beauty Bar events inspired by the salon in NYC offering manicures, makeup while sipping on your cocktail in our lounge.
What are the plans for the interior and exterior of the building?
The plans for the building? It has been kept secret all along to do the big reveal. All I can say is that clients want to go to the most modern, trendy place to get their hair done... this will certainly fill the dreams of what I have always wanted to pull off all the while being earth conscious, space operative and mindful in design.
New Age Salon
1534 Hertel Ave
Buffalo, NY 14216
(716) 308-6520
View image
Will NAS occupy the whole building?
Yes! It is the perfect size for the size of my business- 1600 sq feet, gaining 400 feet from our original location.
What new services will you offer?
Everyone is asking what we are adding to our menu. Our formula has worked for so long, so why would we change it now? We are a concept salon for men and women specializing in hair coloring, cutting, extensions and my own makeup line, Sally Peabody. We also offer facial waxing. We are a Bumble and Bumble network salon (you have to be approved to carry them) and there are only a couple of us in the Buffalo area. We use Davines color from Italy. I found it while cutting hair in Helsinki, Finland and we are still the only salon that I know of in WNY carrying their line.
How many employees will you have and what services will they be offering?
I now have 9 employees. When I opened in 2001, (age 19) it was just me, I had a buzzer on the door. I have grown in size every year since the first year as far as revenue, employees and clientele. They won't let you buy a building at that age, they won't even give you a small loan or take you seriously. We have a top website on Google offering online booking which is so current and convenient, nearly 50% of our clients book online now.
Is this the first commercial building that you have owned? What was the inspiration?
The reason I bought the building? It was serendipitous. I was looking for a while, it was time to make room to grow. I was born and raised in Buffalo and plan on staying here for good. So why keep paying rent? My husband and I were on our way to dinner on Hertel one night in April and I saw it out of the corner of my eye. The building I have always lusted after- for sale. I screamed, "stop the car!" and called immediately. I was in the next day and made my offer. The building was originally a bank, then Hertel Coin And Stamp and most recently Michael Donnelly interior design. I remember when it was for sale 5 years ago... and the timing wasn't right. But now it is truly meant to be.
I have been working with architect Brad Wales, local designers at 'room' on Hertel, a NY salon designer, Renee Blundon, as well as a sleek company out of Italy for our equipment. Not to mention reclaimed barn-board from Buffalo hardwood, lockers from Buffalo ReUse and other elements which must remain a secret until I open the door. It's a whole different world, building a salon with an actual budget and computer compared to being a 19 year old girl making things work somehow, building as I went.
What events will you offer?
Our first event will be our 10 year celebration/ grand opening party on new years eve. We will also continue to host Beauty Bar events inspired by the salon in NYC offering manicures, makeup while sipping on your cocktail in our lounge.
What are the plans for the interior and exterior of the building?
The plans for the building? It has been kept secret all along to do the big reveal. All I can say is that clients want to go to the most modern, trendy place to get their hair done... this will certainly fill the dreams of what I have always wanted to pull off all the while being earth conscious, space operative and mindful in design.
New Age Salon
1534 Hertel Ave
Buffalo, NY 14216
(716) 308-6520
Was this not the building that a "Hot" design firm was touted by BRO when they opened just a year or two ago? What happened to them? Oh, I forgot BRO NEVER mentions the closing after the opening. Slanted journalism at it's finest! Anyway, good luck to the new owner.
This was the home of Michael Donnelly Interior Design, which moved/expanded to a larger location a few blocks west on Hertel that was vacated by Pacillo's Fitness (and it says as much in the sign in the photo).
Relax with the attitude; these moves are good news all around for the neighborhood, with the exception of Pacillo's moving away to Sheridan Drive.
"Michael Donnelly has moved to 1390 Hertel Ave"
http://www.buffalorising.com/2010/11/michael-donnelly-interiors-sets-you-up-to-shop.html
sigh…
Obviously, you see thousands of moronic comments on websites each and every day but you may have set a new record. First, in the photo of this article you can see that the store window says "Michael Donnelly has moved" but you missed that obvious piece of information. Then, you must have missed the article with the obtuse headline "Michael Donnelly Interiors Sets You Up To Shop" and was posted here by the same author no more than 15 days ago. And since you're on the site constantly, it appears by your comment stream, it's remarkable you were able to miss both of those rather obvious items. But you did and you went ahead and went all caps in your criticism of the "slanted journalism."
In any kind of just world, BRO would be able to run an actual photo of you on the front page with some Perez Hilton style photoshopping to shame you for your amazingly moronic comment. Sadly, instead, you'll just scurry off and criticize something else in another few days undeterred by the fact that your idiocy has been confirmed for the local internet watchers to see.