A Different Kind of Bar
Saratoga gets a blowout bar, Sperry's gets new owners, and SLAH gets...a new AI intern?
Over the years, I must have spent [redacted] hours on my hair. (It is downright envy-inducing the way men can pop out of the office for a quick trim.) To save time, going back to my ‘20s (Jean Louis shout-out!) I have gone in for a weekly blowout—the professionals can tackle my long, thick hair in record time, and then for the next week I can get ready in just a few short minutes, hair already coiffed save for maybe a spritz for flyways or a quick comb-through. Then I moved to Saratoga.
Upon arrival, my Dry Bar app delivered the devastating news: its closest location was in NYC.
After trying several places, I finally found an understanding hair stylist with the chops to tackle my mop. But I’ve still been surprised that no enterprising entrepreneur has opened a blowout bar, where busy women can book online for in-and-out appointments.
Enter Fawn McClintock.
Post-Covid and newly divorced, Fawn was working an office job when she wasn’t styling brides (she did 50 weddings last year). She had joined the Palette community, and the chance of a lifetime presented itself: Palette was moving locations and offering to partner with her to open a salon in its former location.
“I was going to buy a salon around the corner, and Catherine [Hover, founder of Palette] said to not buy another person’s business,” McClintock says, her voice noticeably increasing octaves as she talks about taking the entrepreneurial plunge. “I’m a single mom. This is my livelihood. But with Palette as a partner, I put my two weeks’ notice in at my job. This is it.”
I have high hopes that all sorts of Saratogian women will discover the ease and freedom of not spending time day after day doing their hair. During a recent photoshoot, the Auto Museum’s Carly Connors came running in having just had her hair and makeup for her photos. “I just sat there on my phone, answering emails and getting work done,” she said. “And my hair is done better than I could ever do it. I never knew how great a blowout was!
”
Fawn laughs as I tell her the story. “This area could definitely use a blowout bar,” she says. “It’s an up-and-coming wedding destination, which I want to build on as well. The whole bridal party could come in.” I throw in all of the parties, events and galas that local women go to. “Totally,” she says. “And a good blowout will last you a week, especially someone like you who has hair…like this.”
I have enough hair for 10 people, she means, and it’s tough to do—each strand dry and like a thick piece of rope. But with Fawn’s Beauty Bar, I can relax and let a professional spin it all into a perfect coif.
The Beauty Bar is currently open Wednesday through Saturday for hair and makeup, with hydrafacials starting in February and spray tanning by March. Pre-work hours are being added soon, most likely on Wednesdays, and overall hours will increase in time for wedding season.
Appointments can be made online.
—Abby
Quote of the Week
“I’m happy to be back with my family living a normal life for now…”
“…where the biggest controversy is a bike lane.”
Adam Israel and Robin Dalton on Adam’s return to Saratoga from volunteering in Ukraine, on their Saratoga Podcast
Neighborhood News
We’re hearing that after a speedy time (as little as one day!) on the market, Sperry’s has changed owners. The 90-year-old racing season hot spot’s new owners paid $1.9million, according to a source. No word yet on what longtime managing partner Scott Johnson is looking to do next. Story developing.
Bravo!
SPAC is enjoying a year-long program like we’ve never seen, bringing in a diverse cast of touring artists to the Spa Little Theatre. The spring program includes:
Aquila Theatre presents Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, March 11
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's Voices of the Americas, March 18
Kings Return, March 31
Caffe Lena @ SPAC: The Steel Wheels, April 2
Caffe Lena @ SPAC: The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, April 23
Banda Magda, May 4
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s An Evening with David, Wu Han & Arnaud, May 13
Snow Day
After a mild winter start, Saratoga eeked out more than nine inches of snow last week, followed by another few inches in a second storm. What a week!
AI Greetings
“Where style is our only cut.”
Headline suggested by AI for the leading story about Saratoga’s new blowout bar—we put it to the test in an effort to get a glimpse at how soon writers might become obsolete <broken heart emoji>. Alas (for it), AI did not know what a “blowout” was, so our cub reporter robot couldn’t even take the assignment. We changed the request to write about a “salon that only does styling” and got what you read above. So, thankfully, it looks like we won’t be replaced by AI robots just yet—but the tagline is cute. Maybe we’ll ask it for some ideas…maybe as more of an AI intern? Writers: safe for now. (Have it write your story here.)