Almost one year after Hairworks shut its doors for good, St. Thomas is set to open a full Aveda salon and day spa, Estetica St. Thomas, on Tuesday, Sept. 4 in the Anderson Student Center.

The salon, owned by St. Thomas ’87 alumnus Andrew Jurgens and his wife LeeAnn, will provide full salon services including haircuts, colors, foils, shampoo styles, high-fashion hairstyles, conditioning and scalp treatments, manicures, pedicures and more.

The salon will feature haircuts starting at $30, colors at $60, foils at $70 and manicures at $25.

Jurgens said St. Thomas contacted Aveda last November after Hairworks, which was a barber shop located in the basement of the Murray-Herrick Campus Center, permanently closed.

“St. Thomas asked Aveda for someone who has a good track record and business record. Aveda actually contacted us to see if we would be interested,” Jurgens said. “So inadvertently, St. Thomas contacted us to see if we would work there.”

Jurgens left the final decision about whether to accept the offer with his wife, LeeAnn.

“It was my wife’s decision to say ‘yes,’ with a little coaxing from me, as I am an alumni and know the campus,” Jurgens said.

Once the decision was made, the preparation for opening day took almost a year to complete.

“It was originally set up for a barber shop, and we are not a barber shop,” Jurgens said. “So they had to redo all the plumbing and change things around.”

One change the salon brings to campus is a place where students can get their hair and nails done, which excites senior Emily Schmitz.

“I’m going to try it out,” Schmitz said. “I’d probably get my hair cut, maybe get my fingernails done too.”

Schmitz said she thinks St. Thomas made a wise choice when choosing an Aveda salon.

“I never saw a girl go into the barber shop to get her hair cut. I think a lot more girls would be likely to go to an Aveda salon,” Schmitz said.

Junior Brittney Schubert said that she looks forward to the opening too.

“I think that it is a great option for students because Aveda has always been known for having high quality products,” Schubert said. “I could see myself using it because it is a convenient and reliable option.”

Senior Charlie Peterson said he would consider going to the salon, but thinks that women will use it more.

“I think it’s good for St. Thomas, but guys don’t want to go to salons. Guys want a quick haircut,” Peterson said.

However, Jurgens said the salon is open to both male and female clients.

Senior Adrian Montes said Estetica St. Thomas’ convenient location will be a major draw for students with full schedules.

“Busy lives need a convenient haircut, especially upperclassmen or business majors who have to look presentable most of the time,” Montes said.

Jurgens said his wife is the driving force behind their salon business careers, but he said it feels good to be back on campus. This time, Jurgens won’t be spending most of his time in Ireland Hall where he used to live, but instead, in the Anderson Student Center basement.

“There is some nostalgia there,” Jurgens said. “It’s like coming home for me.”

Hannah Anderson can be reached at ande5385@stthomas.edu.