Folicle (a salon)

Folicle has been operating since 2004 from the west end of Lakewood, on the corner of Detroit Avenue and Riverside. Its clientele travels in from several nearby communities, including Rocky River, Westpark, Fairview Park, Westlake, Bay Village, Avon, Avon Lake and North Olmsted. According to the salon, its goal is to leave each guest feeling at ease, self-assured and well looked after.

The salon is set up as a shared space for independent artists. Each station is run by an independent stylist who sets their own hours, prices and service menu, and clients book directly through that person's own scheduling calendar. Liz is the stylist and owner of the salon, and she also handles chair rental inquiries.

A visit starts with the in-house hospitality and concierge service, which greets guests and offers refreshments. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available, and there are comfortable seating areas for relaxing while color or other services process. Hair is washed at shared shampoo stations, facial services take place in a semi-private treatment room, and towels and robes are laundered on site. Parking is free, either on the street or in the lot behind the building. The reception area also holds the Artist Corner gift shop, which sells handmade local gifts and trinkets.

The Japanese Head Spa is a hydro-powered scalp massage, which the salon describes as supporting a healthy scalp, relaxation and stress relief.

Deposits are required for new clients and for anyone who has not visited in six months. Deposits can be paid online at booking or by phone, and Groupon vouchers also count as a deposit, with the same cancellation terms applying. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice, including same-day cancellations, forfeit the deposit, and no-call or no-show appointments are charged the full reserved amount. Clients with repeated no-shows or same-day cancellations must pay a deposit equal to the full cost of missed services, and future visits must be prepaid in full after a no-call or no-show. Appointments are confirmed at least one day ahead, with Tuesday bookings confirmed the previous Saturday, and the salon phones clients the business day before as a courtesy.

Bridal services need a non-refundable $150 deposit, which is applied to the balance, plus a signed contract to hold the date. Half of the total is due eight weeks before the event and the rest two weeks before. Bridal cancellations made less than four weeks out are charged 50% of the service amount, and same-day cancellations and no-shows are charged the full price.

Each station is run by an independent stylist who sets their own hours, prices and menu, so the salon works as a home base for several artists under one roof.

A calm, contemporary room with a relaxed and upbeat feel.