Andrew Eagly and his staff celebrated an emotional opening at the Hair Loft Salon on Thursday in the Midland Mall.
In a cheery, brightly lit space next to Alex’s Railside Restaurant, Hair Loft opened for business at 9 a.m.
Eagly, who is both the owner and a stylist, said his staff of six came with him from another salon in Midland to start the new business, which is located where a Regis salon operated in the past.
“We decided it was time. We all knew we could do better and we deserved better, so here we are,” Eagly said after choking up a little while congratulating his staff on the grand opening.
He said the stylists deserve to be paid a wage that reflects their degrees and their hard work and talent.
“Our clients are loyal to us,” he noted. “We just hope to grow and get bigger and add more stylists.”
The Hair Loft will operate 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Midland Mall owner Jordan Dice said this is the first time the mall has had a hair salon since MasterCuts, near Target, closed three to four years ago. Eagly had also worked at MasterCuts for many years.
“Andy has a long history here. I couldn’t think of a better person (to open this salon),” Dice said.
Likewise, Eagly said he found the mall to be the best choice for the new salon.
“Jordan was very willing to work us. And just the location – we have a built-in clientele at the mall,” he said. “We want to help bring the mall back.”
Several of the stylists said they were grateful to Eagly for launching out on his own and hiring them at the new business.
Kellsey York said she feels appreciated and valued by Eagly.
“I couldn’t think of a better boss. His heart is just so huge. For me it was an easy choice to come here,” York said.
“Andrew has been a force. He is all in for all of us,” stylist Lisa Westendorf said.
The Hair Loft will also offer the new product line Eleven Australia in addition to Paul Mitchell and other hair products. The salon also has free wifi.
In other developments at the mall, Dice said he is now aiming to open a St. Laurent Brothers store near Hobby Lobby in the first three months of 2024. He purchased the original St. Laurent candy and nut store in Bay City in late September.
In the meantime, some of St. Laurent’s goodies will be sold on special occasions, including at the Yuletide Artisan Market in the mall Dec. 9-10.
