The last shop to inhabit 616 Elmwood was Moda, which has since moved to a much larger location on Hertel. Since that time, the Elmwood location has sat empty – upwards of five years I believe. Fortunately the property was recently purchased by Sinatra and Company and is being fixed up in preparation for an organic salon. Buffalo Rising featured Relle Salon back in October when it moved into its original space at the corner of Elmwood and Auburn (see article). Another vintage furniture shop called MIX, located across the street, closed around the same time that Moda took off for Hertel. Luckily that space was filled with The Village Cut and Shave back in 2010. Rumors were that the former Moda location was in dire need of costly repairs. Without a significant investment the space would still be off the leasing market. It will be nice to see both locations occupied in tandem once again. Here’s an excerpt from Kimberly Ehnes’ article on Relle:
Relle embodies a whole new concept in terms of healthy beauty care, one that Buffalonians would be wise to enlighten themselves on. Parabens, chemicals commonly used in the cosmetic industry to prolong shelf life, are very harsh and damaging to the hair and skin. They have recently become even more controversial after being found in low concentrations in breast cancer tumors. Sodium lauryl sulfates are detergents that strip the hair and result in extreme damage, while formaldehyde, used in many keratin treatments, is widely-acknowledged to be a human carcinogen. Organic Color Systems, which is used at Relle, is free of all these harmful substances, in addition to ammonia, which eliminates the stinging, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and unpleasant odors commonly experienced from both professional and store-bought hair dyes. [Brandon] Kline carefully explains to his clients that normal hair and scalp pH is around a level 5, which most color lines blow up to an 11 or higher. This makes the cuticle harder to close again and therefore more susceptible to damage. The color he uses, however, will only raise the hair’s pH to about an 8, leaving it in better condition not just immediately but also over time. Even better, the line contains only certified organic extracts and natural ingredients like grapefruit, orange, and vitamins C & E, which lock in moisture and protein to protect hair during the coloring process… Remember, you only get one body and one planet – why not provide them both with the utmost care? -Kimberly Ehnes
Relle will be open in its new location by the end of the month.
Relle – “An organic salon”
616 Elmwood Avenue,
Buffalo, NY, 14222
716-279-5711