A salon and a photography studio in one location--sounds like a clever match-up of two businesses. Downtown Traverse City is now home to the recently-opened
Foiled Hair Lounge in the Arcade building, in the former location of Collective Ink Tattoo.
Owned by Audrey Cole, Foiled Hair Lounge is becoming a design hotspot, with its renovated location and photography studio right on site. Wedding parties, events, birthday parties, photo sessions or portraits all are available, along with hair and makeup. Cole adds new or aspiring photographers also can rent the studio to build their portfolios.
As for the salon itself, it's Cole's second salon location in Traverse City. With the support of family and friends, Cole has been renovating the salon into a modern, design-focused space with exposed brick, refurbished antique wood flooring, and high ceilings.
"I met some good friends that helped me out here and there when I could afford to pay them," says Cole. "The next thing you knew, I was tearing down walls with a hammer and exposing brick and transforming what was a disaster into a beautiful place."
The process took several months, but now Foiled Hair Lounge is gradually building new customers and making community connections. Cole believes in one-on-one relationships with clients, and works to make sure customers are getting what they want.
Cole attended Northwestern Michigan College for graphic design before attending cosmetology school, and graduated in 2008. She says she's inspired by her mother, who opened her own photography studio, Angel Eye Photography, and followed it up with The French Bulldog boutique.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Foiled Hair Lounge
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