Fashion Stores
Grateful Head
Grateful Head has held strong over the last few years as a Toronto salon with one of the best names around. And as long as I've been heading there for the occasional trim or shakeup, I've known it to be a business wholly faithful to its Dundas West digs.
Needless to say, then, I was a little surprised to hear Grateful Head had picked up shop after five and a half years and moved over to Roncesvalles Ave. So I stopped by the new salon at Roncesvalles and High Park to chat with owner Lysa Fina about the move.
"The situation was sticky," she tells me as we settle on the window seat, overlooking the already bustling salon. Opened just a few days ago, Grateful Head is already having trouble fitting in their curious new Roncy customers along with loyal old clientele. "There were landlord issues, the building was falling apart, legal stuff," she continues. "We had to move."
Lysa was looking to move the business somewhere nearby, still in the Dundas West community, but she stumbled upon this spot on Roncesvalles and thought she'd jump on the opportunity. "There was nothing here," she says, pulling out her laptop, flipping through pictures of the original space. Unoccupied for over 20 years, I can see that the walls were literally falling off the foundation, and a lone toilet sitting near the back conveyed a certain level of hopelessness. Though Lysa obviously didn't see it that way.
"It took 13 weeks," she says, "and it was me and my friends--the staff--here doing the demo ourselves before we hired a contractor."
The space has been remarkably redone, in typical Grateful Head style. Textured wallpaper on one wall, a rough, rustic finish on the other. And the back paper--the pièce de résistance, in my opinion--boasts small black skulls, indiscernible from the front entrance. The vibe is continued right through to the bathroom, which carries a fiery red glow inspired by a picture of a woman-arachnid hybrid framed and featured on the wall.
"We wanted rock and roll royalty," Lysa says, "and I think we got it."
Unlike the old Grateful Head space, this salon won't be hosting regular art shows. ("The hair will be the art here," Lysa says.") But it has dedicated a nook for staff art (including Lysa's albums) and will be hosting a CNIB fundraiser in 2012.
"We're still who we were," Lysa says as we head back to the front. "I refused to cut any staff."
And the reception? "Very, very, very enthusiastic," she says. "People have been so welcoming. It's lovely."
Photos by Dennis Marciniak
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they are better places in the city then here!
Jen Kim did a fantastic job on my hair, I'm really happy with it!!!
A bit overpriced though, my only complaint.
& how much would it cost age 14 ;D
if so how muhc would it be ?
if so how muhc would it be ?
does anyone know the price range here?
Guess I will keep looking for that cool, talented, affordable hair stylist in this city. Surely there must be someone out there???
i wanna dye the under layer of my hair a hot pink
and I've asked a couple of hair salons and they all said
they don't do it
Can this place?
i wanna dye the under layer of my hair a hot pink
and I've asked a couple of hair salons and they all said
they don't do it
Can this place?
Reply
I hope this place stay there forever
Wrong move.
I cannot recall the stylists’ name (perhaps I’ve blocked it out of my memory), but no proper cutting technique was invovled. I felt like my wet hair was being hacked at…I had to fix my crooked bangs myself immediately afterwars, at home…and who blows-out straight hair with a round brush?! Unfriendly receptionist. I regret spending more money on the place and purchasing my shampoo there.
It’s only been a couple of weeks since having my haircut and I feel like I need to have it cut again.
Forget this place.
It was about 75 bucks, before tip, but it was worth every cent. It's two months later now and I still love it. Can't wait to make my next appointment! Highly recommended.
The topper though was when she was in mid-sentence with me and she rudely answered her blackberry and walked out of the room to take the call. She never even came back!!
Will never go back to this place again.
I am not at ALL pleased with my hair cut. The stylist did NOT listen to what I wanted to do with my hair, instead claiming "she knew what would look cute" for me. She didn't ask me ANY questions about what look I was going for, instead picking on things about my hair that she thought "wasn't doing me any favors" (ie. the color.. my hair is BROWN?!)
I highly doubt I'll be making another appointment there.
I was a dedicated customer of Lysas for a long long time and the treatment got worse and worse. She is always pretentious and stressed and complaining about her staff, bragging about shallow things that dont matter and making empty promises. Totally unprofessional. Prices went up massively since my first cut. First cut was $40, the last time I went they charged me $80 for a trim!! wtf! That same (last) time I got a consultation from a colorist who stank so bad like booze and lack of bathing I felt like I was sitting next to one of those smelly dudes on the ttc. Dude seriously smelled like he drank all night and stumbled to work. Not exaggerating.
dont bother, they are good the fist time and then fall apart after that.
Thank you!!!
Thanks! samantha
I just moved from Barrie to Toronto and I am having a tough
Time finding a stylist down here because when I lived in Barrie I went
To a stylist named Tyler, who works at Salon Status on Mapleview. He is amazing and
So nice! Definitly go see him, you will be hooked.
I'm so so sorry, we've been in a battle for the email address that's on our site (it's a long story) and we don't currently have any way to look into it or have it taken off. Any inquiries about services in the salon, stylists, hours etc can be sent to me ( jessica.upton@gmail.com ) and I'll be happy to reply. Also, though we aren't open Sundays, we are open Saturdays and Mondays as well as extended hours throughout the week to hopefully fill in for our one day of rest. We are a small staff whom for the most part are involved in the Toronto music scene and play a lot of Saturday night shows so in order to have a creative balance (and something to talk about during the week) we've chosen Sunday to not burn out.
Thanks for checking us out even if it didn't end up working for you.
-Jesse Crowe, GH.
I've gone to Jen Kim at Grateful Head a dozen times and nobody is as good as her. My hair has always grown out really well too. Thanks.
http://www.blogto.com/city/2011/05/a_vintage_diner_on_roncesvalles_preserved_in_dust/
I thought that was what you get for giving her a place to crash for a week.
Don't know if this is BlogTO's usual M.O., but it's bloody ridiculous.
When I arrived, Emily was attentive and personable - consulted with me about my hair and what I was hoping to achieve. The cut she gave me was awesome from the get-go... no having to wait a week or two for some out growth (which is usually the case with other stylists I've gone to).
I will undoubtedly return for my next cut - and am thrilled Grateful Head is now part of the Roncy neighbourhood.
Any recommendations for a decently priced salon....?
It would be appreciated.
-cheers.
The Hidden Gem of Roncesvalles. Check out their website for the number.
Please dont take my word for it, try them all, I am sure you will Love Tangerine Salon.
Way Nicer people, way better pricing and way more talented. You will feel good inside and out.
Everybody that I know that compared these salons Tangerine is by far the Best Choice!!!
I usually dont write reviews but....
BUT I just tried Jen Kim and really like the cut. Not the best I've ever had, but for the price (why are you people complaining about $70 for a haircut...move to the burbs!) I think it's very good. She's lovely, too.
I went in cause they have antiques in the front of the salon, it was a happy coincidence to find her considering I went in looking for treasure!
www.lebelandcrowe.com
This was done by a senior stylist for $80 and needed to be fixed by someone with some talent for another $100. Needless to say, I will never return to this salon nor recommend it to others.
delightful people.
AWFUL HAIRCUT.
Cheers :)