Salon Bambino Offers Something for Everyone

Woodbury mom Sara Gruett took the phrase “mother knows best” and applied it to fill a void in the market. Owner of Salon Bambino, this mother of four and 20-year salon industry veteran wanted to give families what she felt was missing in Woodbury—an affordable family salon that appeals to little ones and yet also provides an upscale experience for tweens, teens and adults.“I wanted a place that children don’t have to grow out of,” Gruett says. “We’re really two salons in one: one side is designed for kids under 10 and the other side has larger chairs. It’s a place that my high school daughter isn’t embarrassed to go to. Also, a mom or dad taking the kids in might say ‘I really need a trim too,’ and we can do it.”Open since January of this year, Salon Bambino is quaint and charming, with a rustic vibe. Children can draw on the chalkboard, play in the castle and maybe have a little snack of animal crackers, and mom can relax in a leather chair by the fireplace with a cup of coffee. Gruett, who formerly worked for Kids Hair, thoughtfully designed the space to offer classic elements of a kids’ salon like cartoons and toys, yet visually comfortable and appealing for everyone else.“Ours will be a different experience than a discount salon that is corporate- owned,” Gruett says. “The owner is present and our stylists are Woodbury moms. I have two girls at East Ridge who play hockey; I’m definitely a Woodbury mom. I see my clients grocery shopping.” And the business model means a commitment to making things affordable. “At the upscale salon you could easily spend $200, where we want to offer something that gives a salon experience in a way you can afford. I want to be a reasonable family salon that people want to come back to.”In addition to hair services, parents and children can get treated to manis and pedis at Salon Bambino’s one-of-kind custom express pedicure soaking bench. “I took my daughter in for her first pedicure to celebrate her 6th birthday,” says Sharon Abbas of Woodbury. “They made it a very special experience for us, and I was even able to get a pedicure too.” “I loved when they put the stickers on,” birthday girl Eva Abbas says, referring to her flower nail art.Salon Bambino can accommodate small birthday parties, where a group of girls can get hair up-dos, and nails polished and sprayed with glitter. The also do prom hair up-dos for high schoolers, and offer brow waxing and hair color services. Salon Bambino does not sell toys, only organic kids products such as Ladibugs, Moroccan Oil and Original Sprout and handmade hair accessories. Kids 12 and under can get a haircut for $13.50; adult haircuts are $22.“I’m very proud to own a business in Woodbury and I look forward to being a fixture in this community for years to come,” adds Gruett.