Hair should be fun, right? That’s the mindset longtime stylist Mo Murphy and husband Chris Strouth have taken while planning and designing their new Northeast hair haven Miyagi.
The salon’s modern walls, which are offset by the pressed-tin ceiling and wood floors, are painted candy-apple green, bright yellow, chalky blue, and tangerine. Plus, there are a few custom-made wall murals by local artist Eric Inkala. The combination of cartoon-like colors creates
a contemporary and artistic backdrop for two rows of hair stations—a much different (and somewhat refreshing) setting compared to most other Aveda salons we’ve come to know.
Miyagi’s vibe is relaxed, the stylists are friendly, and the prices are reasonable—just the type of hair haunt this neighborhood needed. Offering everything from hair cuts, foils, perms, and relaxers to updos, hair treatments, and eyebrow waxing, this place will have no trouble drawing in the eclectic residents of Nordeast.
And there’s more than meets the eye: Murphy and Strouth have created an equally fun event space upstairs in which they plan to hold hair-industry events, workshops, neighborhood events, and more.
Open for business now, the salon will hold its official grand opening in mid-September during Aveda Congress (Aveda’s biggest hair show of the year, which takes place September 14 and 15 at the Orpheum).
Oh, and the name? Not another word for "zen" or "beauty"—more fun than that. Think The Karate Kid.
Here are some highlights from my mini-tour of the salon:
A color bar in back allows clients to watch as their stylists mix and create hair dyes.
One-of-a-kind wall murals by local artist Eric Inkala decorate the space, creating a unique, urban vibe.
The clean shampoo room gives clients a place to relax.
As an Aveda salon, Miyagi offers rows and rows of your favorite Aveda products in an extensive retail area near the entrance.
Miyagi, 411 E. Hennepin, Mpls., 612-331-1912
