SToNE Salon

SToNE was opened in 2025 by Francesca Smith, a stylist who also owns the salon. It was set up as a place where stylists can grow and clients can feel at home. The salon describes itself as a community built on creativity, comfort and connection, and says it aims to fill the gap between beauty school and running a business independently.

Arrive through the rear of the building, using the door beneath a blue awning, then climb the stairs. Parking is free in front of the building and along its side on E Sahuaro Drive. Guests are asked to keep the spaces in the back lot free for older clients, pregnant clients, people recovering from injuries, and those with infants. Visitors can have coffee, tea, soda, water or snacks, and the salon offers free Wi-Fi, a waiting area with a workstation, and an outdoor patio. Stone, the shop dog, is usually on the premises on weekdays and can be kept in a designated area during appointments on request. Young children are welcome provided they can sit calmly through an appointment, and the salon suggests booking time without children.

Walk-ins are not accepted. Stylists sometimes have last-minute openings, which clients can request by text or Instagram message. Appointments can be booked through the SToNE website, Mangomint, Square, or other platforms used by individual stylists. Each stylist sets their own services, pricing, availability, and cancellation and rescheduling policies, and payments for their services are generally collected by the stylist or their booking platform. A model program offers discounted or free appointments, often for color, cuts or extensions, while stylists build skills. Model appointments may take longer than standard ones and may be performed by a stylist refining a technique. A short matching form helps clients be paired with a stylist based on hair goals, budget and style.

Stylists rent their chairs. Full-time renters keep a consistent weekly schedule, while CIRCLE members rent month to month for about two to ten days a month. Rental options include a part-time year-long chair, a monthly membership for two, four or six days, daily drop-in rentals, and a custom package, billed only for the days a stylist works. Rent covers a full styling station and tray, storage for color and supplies, a stocked backbar, towels, robes, capes, weekly cleaning, Wi-Fi and refreshments, plus access to a rooftop patio. Ongoing education and mentorship are included, with growth check-ins held quarterly. The salon encourages stylists to work no more than four days a week and offers perks that include a one-week vacation, two months of maternity leave, team events, team photoshoots and content support.

The salon hosts education nights, workshops, networking events and community gatherings, and it will host outside events by request. Clients can sign up for email updates about salon events and stylist education. Stone Merch, the salon's own line of crewneck sweaters and t-shirts, is also available.

The salon focuses on education, mentorship and collaboration so stylists can build sustainable careers with boundaries. Stylists may suggest changing, postponing or declining a service if it could compromise the health or integrity of a client's hair, skin or scalp, and results are not guaranteed because they depend on hair history, condition and home care.

The space is designed to feel cozy, welcoming and like home.