Carmen Rodriguez, owner of the new Oo-La-La Salon and Spa, prepares to beautify Claudia Lopez, 29, of Cape Coral. Lopez has been visiting the shop for two years.
Services: haircuts, styling, conditioning, color and perms. The shops spa offers facials, hot rocks, massages and relaxation treatments.
Carmen Rodriguez wants everyone to walk out of her new salon saying three words: Oo-La-La.
And, that’s why she named the shop, which was once The Strand Hair by Ronda, after the phrase.
The Oo-La-La Salon and Spa had its grand opening on July 4 in a hopes to bring new business to the Old 41 area.
“It’s a very special place to all the girls that work there and the building has a nice history,” said Rodriguez, 34.
The shop was also named Oo-La-La because it was something Rodriguez said to her church sisters when answering the phone.
She bought the salon from previous owner Rhonda Lawthorn who sold the location to pursue other interests.
“She just decided that she had other things going on in her life and she wanted to close the doors,” said Rodriguez, of Fort Myers. “I’ve always had plans to own a salon. ... I know that’s my gift.”
The gift is one that she hopes to share with locals and visitors in Bonita Springs.
“We want it to be a comfortable place for people to come, let loose, share a story, cry and come out looking beautiful,” said Rodriguez who worked as a hair dresser at the shop for 10 years before purchasing it.
Rodriguez's staff will continue keeping customers happy, with 27-year veteran Jan Cook on staff.
“It was a perfect opportunity because we all get along so good and none of the girls wanted to leave but they didn’t want to just stay with anybody,” Rodriguez said.
Jan Cook’s history keeps her from wanting to work elsewhere because her grandparents once owned the building that was a grocery store.
“I’ve been with the Strand for 16 years,” Cook said.
“She is my longest living friend,” said Rob Stone, 43, of Bonita Springs, who has known Cook for 20 years. He was at the shop recently getting a haircut before moving to Chicago for good.
The Oo-La-La Salon and Spa will soon offer a nail technician and possibly a barber.
But the summer months will be pushing until seasonal residents return.
“It will be hard but we are by far the most reasonably priced and we are there to cater to the working, not working and the retired,” said Rodriguez about the reality of a season business. “It will be difficult because we are trying to build up clientele.”
But Rodriguez said that it’s what the shop will offer that will keep people coming back and talking about the salon.
“For all of us, hair is our gift ... it’s just about what we can give our customers,” Rodriguez said. “We are here not to only beautify people but to help as well. We are counselors as well and we know that.”
The 2,000-square -oot store is in the process of getting permits for a new sign.
“We are very good at what we do and eventually that will bring everybody,” she said.
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