Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Everybody's Business

Comfort denotes salon experience

Clients are treated as old friends - who know sophistication - at the remodeled shop of a Paul Mitchell Master Associate.

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published November 4, 2005

So what makes a visit to a hair salon a Paul Mitchell experience? To salon owner Mikel Sandoval, it means his clients have "reservations," not "appointments." Upon arrival they're not told to put on a smock. It's "Let's slip into something more comfortable."

Clients are offered beer, wine and infused waters, along with neck massages and paraffin wax hand treatments. All with getting a hairdo.

The salon itself recently got the works. Formerly the Strand Hair Studio, 308 S MacDill Ave., the salon was gutted this spring and remade as Mikel's - the Paul Mitchell Experience, which had its grand opening Oct. 27.

The Paul Mitchell "Focus" salon, which sells Paul Mitchell products exclusively, is the result of Sandoval's long and successful association with the hair care giant. The longtime Tampa resident was recently picked from a field of 700 stylists as the Paul Mitchell Educator of the Year.

Sandoval became affiliated with Paul Mitchell in the early 1980s, achieving the status of "educator" in 1984 and traveling around Florida teaching the styling philosophies of the Beverly Hills, Calif., enterprise. He eventually traveled throughout the country, certifying others as Paul Mitchell educators and giving demonstrations at trade shows.

Meanwhile, Sandoval worked at various Tampa salons before opening his own, the Strand, in 1995. That year, he also became a Paul Mitchell Master Associate, a rank he continues to hold.

These days, Sandoval still travels, sometimes internationally, to spread the Paul Mitchell gospel. But he also preaches from his own salon, teaching his staffers to become Paul Mitchell educators.

The newly reopened salon sports a black and white art deco motif and a color bar, where clients can select their new hair color. There's a color menu and custom mixing is available. Some of the menu choices: "J. Lo Lites," "Hershey Kisses," "Platinum Card" and "Sarah Jessica Darker."

In the Lather Lounge, candlelight, spa music and aromatherapy set the mood for shampoo time. That's also where clients can opt for the massage and hand treatments.

Mikel's hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

WINGING THEIR WAY BACK: Since the lamentable demise of King of Wings in early 2002, the Dale Mabry-Henderson area has had only KFC to quell chicken wing cravings.

That will change soon when a Wingstop franchise of the Garland, Texas, chain opens at 1155-3 S Dale Mabry Highway.

Franchise owner Randy Prince said he hopes to open later this month or early December. The 1,600-square-foot restaurant will have seating for 34 and a takeout area. Prince expects 70 percent of his business will be "to go" sales.

Besides wings, Wingstop will offer potato salad, baked beans, cole slaw, fries and, of course, carrot and celery sticks. Hours will be 11 a.m. to midnight daily.

And just like King of Wings, Wingstop will offer nine wing flavors.

FRESH MARKET EYEING SOUTH TAMPA: The Greensboro, N.C., gourmet grocery chain plans to open a second Tampa location sometime in 2006.

Fresh Market spokesman Eric Blaesing said his company is "very interested in South Tampa" and is in contract negotiations for a site. He wouldn't give further details, except that the new location would be similar to the 20,000-square-foot Carrollwood Fresh Market.

Businesses around the U-Save shopping center on Henderson Boulevard near Dale Mabry Highway have said the Fresh Market is rumored to open in the former grocery store, which closed this summer.

- Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3382 or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com

[Last modified November 3, 2005, 08:47:07]