Step inside B&G's House of Style, where life is a catwalk. Walk-ins welcome.
Brooke Rodriguez, the 29-year-old co-owner of House of Style has been into hair styling since she was 2-years-old when her aunt owned a salon. Growing up in the business, Brooke dreamed of working in a hip-environment that offered chic customer service. When that didn't happen, she decided to create that environment herself.
Teaming up with her husband Guy Rodriguez, they set out to historical downtown Kennewick to set up their new salon and wellness spa. Just off Benton, on 123 W. 1st Ave, their building may be historical, but don't expect their place to be humdrum. In fact, don't expect anything less than exceptional.
Once visitors step inside, they are transported to another realm, full of warm colors as well as warm greeters, including themselves.
"I've worked at places where you see a customer walk in and just stand there and it's usually Brooke or me shouting from the back if they've been helped," said Guy. "That's not going to happen at our place."
If you get to know Guy and Brooke, you'll find you can untrust more than your hair, but you can flat-out trust their word. Their creativity extends further than their scissors. Both are intelligent jokesters who love to make people laugh.
The laid-back executives got down to business for... Well, their business.
The salon's grand opening took place Friday, Feb. 29, 2008 at 10 a.m. with a official ribbon-cutting and Kennewick Mayor Beaver there to kick-off festivities.
Wine, cheese, fruit, and several other hor devours were served while people entered drawings for three gift baskets, each containing about $160 of various TIGI hair products.
The salon is TIGI sponsored, providing them with free instructional classes that help further their hair care education. With products such as Bed Head, S-Factor, Catwalk, and Hardcore, there is something for everyone regardless of age, hair-type, or lifestyle.
Friends explored the retro building's new decorations, often not believing they were in downtown Kennewick anymore.
"A lot of people look at this building and remember back to when the first doctor of Kennewick owned it," said Josie Wannarachue, co-owner of the building the salon resides in. "So when they pop in, they're going to see how much it has changed!"
The place maintains a sophistication with an edge. Combining creamy colors with deep wooden work stations gives the place a bold contrast that keeps it earthy - both serene and wild. Guy and Brooke are in the process of having friends paint murals on certain walls and artistically construct three-feet-tall hair sheers out of metal for a display.
If that wasn't enough, one look at their pamphlet lets visitors know this isn't your ordinary hair salon.
Each salon service is assigned a unique name. A women's cut is called "Attitude Adjustment" ($30-50), while a men's cut is "The Metro" ($20-35). "Where'd Ya Get Those Peepers" is a lash and brow lift ($20-30). "Refresh My Ego" is colour glaze and conditioning ($35-55). "Get Your Glam On" is all over colour ($36-60).
Clearly, Brooke and Guy have fun with their business, but they aren't afraid to get serious.
"I've probably slept three hours this week," Guy admitted. Gearing up for the opening, he was busy fixing the plumbing in the building, painting, and installing new speakers in the ceilings.
"It's just really gorgeous," Wannarachue repeated as she walked through the salon. "It turned out very, very nice."
Other services the salon provides are full-body waxing, massages, and acupuncture.
With eight stylists and an acupuncturist in one building, Brooke is proud of how close they all are.
"This is a huge family," she said. "We have a huge heart for everyone that works here, and it's all about individual growth and group growth."
The salon's balance of work, fun, and chic, is beautifully symmetrical and the perfect ingredient to help spice up historic downtown Kennewick.
"It starts with the first step and this is the first step," said Mayor Beaver. "So good luck, great prosperity and we're excited... We now proclaim House of Style the business of the day."
Having the mayor show up to your grand opening hasn't gone to Brooke or guy's head. They're still the outgoing entrepreneurs with a big dream who love to bring out the best in people, one haircut at a time.
Just take it from their MySpace:
Our goal is to continue to progress your style so not only you look good but you feel good too.. Oh, and make others say damn… Who does your hair?
On a more serious note:
There are enough client's to go around and it's not about being the best, it's about client's looking their best.
House of Style is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, check out their MySpace at www.myspace.com/becauselifeisacatwalk
