GRAND RAPIDS, MI – One-year-old Chase Adams piloted a fighter jet while getting a haircut Thursday at a new salon for kids that has created a fun environment for the experience from cool chairs to video games.
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, located at 2359 Health Dr. SW in Wyoming, had its grand opening last Saturday, showing off all its bells and whistles.
“That’s the biggest thing we are trying to create here at Sharkey’s is a fun atmosphere, fun experience for kids to come and want to get their haircut and for parents to enjoy bringing their kids,” said Emily Tornblom, co-owner of Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids.
When first entering the business, the black and white-checkered floors light up the room with neon green, pink and purple walls matching each decorated station.
Character cars are the salon chairs. Besides the fighter jet, there’s a fire truck and police car. There are Xbox’s and PlayStations to enjoy playing for free while you wait as well as flat screen TVs with access to ESPN, Disney+ and Hulu. If in need of an extra treat, the salon also offers a serving of Dippin’ Dots as an additional charge.
Adriana Jarvis, Chase’s mom, was excited to come check out new hair salon, following his stylist to her new location.
“Having the different character cars during his haircut was a good distraction, better than just having TVs like other places. I probably won’t be able to get him out of it because he loves it,” she said, during his Jan. 27 appointment.
The full-service salon isn’t just for kids but cuts the hair of their parents and teens as well. There is also a manicure and pedicure station and a large vanity space for unique hairstyle additions.
Tornblom said the business is donating a percentage of each service fee provided to a local nonprofit organization, including Kids’ Food Basket, HUGS Ranch, and Artists Creating Together. She said they would be reviewing quarterly earnings for those donations.
“We have had an immense success these last few days of being in business,” Tornblom said. “We have an amazing staff with years and years of experience, and two of those stylists specialize in care services for kids with special needs.
So, if you have a child or a kid that needs just a bit more time and extra care with their haircuts to make them feel a little bit more at ease, we have those options available.”
Initially, Tornblom and her husband, Jeff, wanted to get more involved with their community, neighbors and co-owners Tara and Mitch Starback.
After several social picnics and happy hours, the couple started to work with their neighbors on a business opportunity.
“My husband and I had just taken our two-year-old boy for his first haircut, and the closest place to go was across town, either the northeast or southeast side of town,” Tornblom said. “Why not bring something like that to our community that we love, allowing for other families to have their kids get an entertaining haircut experience.”
By exploring opportunities, Tornblom said she became inspired by Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids fast-growing franchise when it comes to giving back to the local community.
“For the three organizations that we partner up with, we have three boxes set up on our reception desk for parents and kids to get a token,” Tornblom said. “They get to pick which non-profit organization they want their token to go to, and then that token represents a monetary value that we will pay out quarterly to these non-profit organizations.”
With packages for mom, daughter, father and son, parents can come in and enjoy a day with their kids by getting a haircut at the same time for more of an experience than just a haircut.
“We also hold birthday parties, which would be a fun option for girls and boys to get glamoured and decked out,” Tornblom said.
Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the salon offers masks for adults and kids upon entering if needed. Additionally, all stations have sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizers.
Hours for the business are Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
To make an appointment or learn more about the salon such as costs or the partnerships with local organizations, head to their website or call (231) 637-8911.
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