New Salon Opens in Downtown Arlington Heights

A lifelong dream has come true. Bloom Salon, located at 20 North Vail Ave. in downtown Arlington Heights, is seeing success with only being a week old. 

"It was a dream of mind to do this for years," Barbara Hoffman said. "I’ve worked in salons in management part-time for about eight years and always really enjoyed it, the atmosphere and interaction with people." 

Hoffman, along with her daughter Lisa Binder, who’s a stylist and stylist Kari-Ann Christenson, made Bloom Salon possible.

The timing worked perfectly for the three, all who wanted to make a transition. 

The salon offers services for men, women and children ranging from ‑ haircuts, relaxers, perms, facials, waxing, pedicures, manicures and color.

• Find Details on all Bloom Salon Services

"I really wanted to have my own," Hoffman said. "I wanted to have a place where people could come, feel comfortable and be treated well. 

As Hoffman was working for another salon, she would instill her ideas on how to deal with clients and how to treat people. However, Hoffman found that when she wasn't at the salon, there was no support because it wasn't her salon.  

"I got to the point where I had to do it for myself," she said.

Rachel Schaeflein, director of media relations and stylist, said all the stylists at the salon have different experience levels. "We are growing together and working together," she said. 

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Downtown Arlington Heights was a great location for Hoffman. With down not being too far from her home and Aveda wanting to have a salon in Arlington Heights, it made all sense.

"I wanted an Aveda salon, which has the foundation of things that I believe in, as far as keeping the earth green, recycling and protecting the planet," Hoffman said.

The salon uses all Aveda products, which are 99 percent naturally, plant-derived.

• Watch video of Aveda Products in Action

"Aveda wanted a salon in Arlington Heights, it kind of all just worked," Hoffman said. "I wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t Aveda because I love the products, I’ve been using their products for years." 

From beginning to end, the process to open the salon took about six months. 

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"It went quick," Hoffman said. "We had a great space so we didn’t have to do a big build out." 

Hoffman attributed the quick success to her employees. 

"The people that I’ve hired are really engaging, they are hard workers," she said. "They market themselves — friends and family have come in to support them." 

Fast forwarding to early 2013, Hoffman said they are going to be busy.

"It's all about reputation," she said. "All it takes it word of mouth and we are building that."

While getting a haircut and hair blow-dried at the salon Thursday afternoon, Bridget Doyle, 16, said she was enjoying the haircut and her mom recommended the new salon. 

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New computer software allows the salon to go paperless. "We want to stay true to the Aveda mission," Hoffman said. Receipts and appointment books are all on-line and accessible through smartphones. 

"Arlington Heights was a community, where I did a lot of research," Hoffman said. "I love it, it’s a big town, with a small town feel."

After leaving Bloom salon, Hoffman said she wants clients to feel like they can’t wait to come back because they had such a great time here, treated well and they had a great service.