Essence of Locks

Essence of Locks was opened by Fallon Avery, who owns and operates the salon. It was founded as a place for people of all hair types and textures, and the salon aims to give every client, regardless of background, a space to bring out the full potential of their hair. The salon describes its clientele as multicultural.

Loc work is the center of the menu. Services include starting dreadlocks, crochet dreadlocks, instant dreadlocks, loc maintenance, coloring of locs and loc extensions. Standard salon services cover haircuts, hair color, braids, relaxers, weaving and waxing. Custom blended essential oils are sold at the salon, and a custom blended shea butter moisturizer for hair care is planned.

Essence of Locks also teaches. Its loc certification courses include a one-day course of six hours that combines theory with practical skill assessments and trainer feedback, and a three-day course that covers the technical and business sides of locs. A loc extension certification follows the three-day course and takes about five hours. Class topics include loc theory, locking methods, and the financial and business opportunities that locs can offer. The salon's blog publishes haircare articles, including a home care sheet for locs and a guide to dreadlock products.

Cancellations are accepted up to 24 hours before a service. Cancellations inside that window are charged 50% of the scheduled cost. Deposits are non-refundable and are used to hold an appointment or to purchase hair for a service, and hair bought with a deposit becomes the salon's property. The salon offers a 10% discount to clients who leave a Google or Yelp review, though start-ups and loc extension services are excluded.

The salon's philosophy is to create an experience that is welcoming to clients of every race, creed and culture, with the goal of helping each person reach the full potential of their hair. Education is part of that work, with courses meant to prepare people for careers in locs.

The salon describes its clientele as multicultural.