By Celeste McLaughlin
During the past five years, owner and master stylist Maher Al-Aghawani has built a loyal clientele of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents at Grandeur Hair Design – and many travel from as far away as Orlando, Sarasota and even Boston to see their favorite stylist.
Feb. 12 marked five years to the day since Grandeur Hair Design opened in New Tampa, in the shopping center at the corner of County Line Rd. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in the separate building that faces LA Fitness and Winn-Dixie.
Originally from Syria, Maher has worked and trained in his home country, as well as in Paris and Boston, before the allure of warm weather brought him to New Tampa in 2007, where he worked in other local salons until 2010. That’s when he realized his dream was to own his own salon, and he made that dream a reality when he officially opened the doors at Grandeur Hair Design.
“I’ve been in this business for more than 30 years,” says Maher, “I just love doing hair.”
From the beginning, Grandeur Hair Design has always been about cutting-edge style, and a “wow factor” that comes from the salon’s sophisticated atmosphere, excellent customer service and fantastic hair styling.
“I wanted (Grandeur) to be different (from other local salons),” says Maher. “I wanted my clients to experience a higher-end salon, with a relaxing atmosphere, where we are friendly and everything is always neat and clean.”
Maher says that he wanted to open a brand new salon. “When I signed the lease, the building wasn’t built yet,” he says. “It was just trees. This area is growing, and I like that there are people who live here from everywhere, like New York and Boston. And we’re right in the middle of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.”
Grandeur Hair Design offers cuts, coloring, highlights and Brazilian treatments, among other hair services. Maher says the Brazilian treatment, a chemical product that helps to loosen curls and minimize frizz for three or four months, is especially popular among his clients during the summer months.
Hair services at Grandeur are priced on a sliding scale, according to which stylist a client sees at the salon. Services with the owner are priced slightly higher than with fellow master stylist and colorist Vickie Sanchez, and slightly lower prices are available with stylists and colorists Anya Bruner and Barbara Fernandez.
Vickie has been with Grandeur since it opened. Anya has been with the salon for three years, and Barbara joined the Grandeur lineup six months ago. Maher and his fellow stylists regularly attend training classes, bring trainers into the salon for continuing education and attend hair shows to be sure that their skills and techniques are always up to date.
“My first priority is (the salon’s) reputation,” says Maher. “We care about our customers and their hair.” He explains that he and his staff aren’t thinking about how much they can charge you, but about how you can have better hair in the future. He says that your stylist will always advise you on what’s best for the health of your hair. Compared to some salons, he says, “We have more experience, and understand women more completely.”
Maher adds that he and his staff always do an initial consultation with each client, to be sure they understand, “how you like your hair, how you feel about it, whether you want to keep it the same or are ready for a change. We always seek to understand and listen to our clients’ opinions, and then give them ours.”
And beyond hair cuts and color jobs that make his clients happy, Maher promises an overall great experience anytime you visit Grandeur Hair Design.
“We want visiting the salon to be exciting,” says Maher. “We know it’s nice for women to get a break, leave your kids and husband at home, enjoy yourself with a cup of coffee, have a nice conversation with your stylist in a relaxing atmosphere, and then leave looking great. A salon day is a treat for a lot of women.”
One woman who thoroughly enjoys that experience is Helen Bertrand. She lives in Heritage Isles and has been a client of Grandeur Hair Design since Maher opened the salon.
“I had tried many salons and was always disappointed,” Helen says. “I joined the gym in the same shopping center and one day I decided to walk in and give it a try. I’ve been (at Grandeur) ever since.”
She says she sees Maher about once a month to have her hair cut and colored. “I love the confidence that he has,” says Helen. “I never have to worry or correct him. The entire staff is so friendly, too. I always feel at home.”
Helen says she recommends Maher to everyone. (In fact, she even asked me, “Have you had your hair cut there? You have to try it!”) Maher confirms that Helen has sent ten of her friends his way.
“Most of our clients are referred by someone else,” Maher says. “They come in, and then they stick with us.”
And, it’s important to note that the salon is not just for women. Grandeur Hair Design does serve men, too, especially those who want a scissor cut and not the traditional razor cut of a barber shop.
Want to give Grandeur a try? New customers get a 20-percent discount with the ad in this issue of the New Tampa Neighborhood News (see page 62).
Grandeur Hair Design is located at 6431 E. County Line Rd., Suite 107, near Five Guys Burgers & Fries, in front of LA Fitness and Winn Dixie in New Tampa. The salon is open Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. To make an appointment, call 994-9455 or 994-0229. Or, for more information, visit GrandeurHD.com.
No comment yet, add your voice below!