By Gary Nager
Although I’ve been doing the same job here in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel for more than 20 years, there actually are a few people who have been working in this area for longer than I have. One example is Jacquie Caetano, the owner of the new Urban Renewal Hair studio in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (behind Kobe Steakhouse).
Jacquie — the daughter of former Bostonian Hair Studio owner (and current Tampa City Council candidate) Joseph Caetano — has been making the men and women in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel look their best since 1988, which means she has been cutting, styling and coloring hair for more than a quarter of a century.
In fact, Jacquie says that after the original Bostonian in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center opened, she became known as something of a local stylist to the stars.
“I used to cut (retired pro tennis champion) Pete Sampras’ hair and a lot of the other athletes and celebrities who lived here in the ‘90s,” she says. “But, my salon has a totally different, more laid back vibe.”
Since the time when her dad closed the last of his Bostonian salons (across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel), Jacquie first branched out to her own Wesley Chapel locale before finding what she now calls “a perfect, centralized location” for her new Urban Renewal Hair.
“I chose that name because I thought it was catchy,” she says. “Plus, the thing I stress most to my clients is that if they really want their hair to look its best, they need it to be as healthy as possible. If your hair is thin, frizzy, brittle or broken, the right products can make a big difference — that’s the renewal part.”
And, Jacquie seems to have a veritable boatload of the right products, from Redken and Rusk to TiGi, Matrix and Pro Design and many more, all of which, she says, are professional, salon-quality products. And, with her experience, once she’s taken a good look at the condition of your hair, she always knows exactly which products will work best for you. She truly has a gift and is very knowledgeable.
Not only is this Master Colorist & Stylist just experienced, however. Jacquie regularly travels to hair industry trade shows to stay current on the latest trends in the beauty biz.
For example, she says that although most stylists use scissors, “I am a specialist in razor cutting. I find that for many, the cut is softer, with no heavy lines, and it even fills in nicer, too.”
She adds, “When you walk into my salon, I want you to feel at home. The first thing I’ll do — after offering you coffee or another beverage — is sit you down in my chair to take a look at your hair and talk about your needs and expectations.”
She also notes that some people have something definite in mind when they walk into Urban Renewal Hair, while others are more open to suggestions and still others are hoping Jacquie will create an entirely new look just for them.
“Those are my favorite clients,” she says with a smile. “You give me the opportunity to get creative and that’s just what I’ll do. Your hair says a lot about you. I want your new style to say, “I am fabulous,’ and once you get to know me, you’ll realize that fabulous is actually my specialty.”
And, Jacquie loves taking before-&-after pics of all of her clients who really let her get creative. “You might even end up on my Facebook page or my Neighborhood News ad!,” she says.
The salon itself has the elegant feel of a top-notch salon in New York or Jacquie’s native Boston, without the intimidation factor of those usually-way-overpriced studios “back home.” The vibe at Urban Renewal Hair is upbeat, but relaxed, and Jacquie’s no-nonsense nor’eastern background and accent puts most of her clients at ease right away.
In fact, every time I visit Jacquie at Urban Renewal, she’s always giving me tips about what I can do to improve my own look. “I could really do something great with your hair, Gary,” she says. “You really should let me give you a total makeover.”
Hmmm. Maybe someday, Jacquie.
More Than Just Jacquie?
Because Urban Renewal Hair was designed by Jacquie (with a lot of help from her dad) to have space for other stylists and aestheticians, Jacquie has also begun the process of adding more quality, independent beauty industry providers to enhance the services she can offer.
To that end, two additional beauty professionals are now based at Urban Renewal Hair. One is hair artist Dean Downing (MyStylistDean.com; photo on previous page), a member of the Rusk Design Team, and the other is Jema Shooter of iWaxUShooter, LLC (Facebook.com/IWaxUbySwhooterllc), who provides professional face, leg and bikini area waxing services and more in a private suite inside the salon.
“And, I am still looking for established, professional stylists and aestheticians who want to rent their space and run their own operation,” Jacquie says. “I have room for at least one or two more people at this location.”
Urban Renewal Hair is located at 19651 BBD. Let Jacquie create a whole new you with a free haircut (with the purchase of any highlights job, for new customers only), — a $60 value (see the ad on page 49)! For appointments or info, call the salon at 978-9292 or “Like” her page at Facebook.com/UrbanRenewalHairandMore.
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