By Shelley Widhalm

The Surveyor

Brandi Jaye created a place in Berthoud where people could enjoy hanging out while getting their hair and nails done.

Jaye, who owns Studio Boom Salon in Longmont, figured with Berthoud’s growth, now is the time to bring a salon to her hometown. She plans to open Sirenhouse April 1 in the former location of Jamie & Friends in downtown Berthoud.

“When they get their hair done, most women don’t have the luxury of time,” Jaye said. “When you do have an appointment, it’s an event. It’s fun to hang out, to have some company, as opposed to rushing to get your hair done.”

Jaye and her husband Matt, co-owners of the salon, took over the lease at 349 Mountain Ave. on March 1 and will spend the next month renovating the 1,200-square-foot space both inside and out. They are redoing the ceiling and floors, repainting the interior and exterior and updating the electrical system.

“It’s a beautiful old building with brick walls and woodwork,” Jaye said. “We just wanted to update it. I feel like Berthoud is ready for a more trendy, upbeat and modern salon.”

The salon is open and inviting and will be decorated in what Jaye describes as industrial bohemian chick.

“It will be a little bit industrial and a little bit of a comfortable, bohemian feel, really clean and bright,” Jaye said. “It will be fun to be there,”

Jamie McDonald, owner of Jamie & Friends for 29 years, will join Jaye as a stylist and hair technician, as will McDonald’s sister, Terri Trzeciak, who also provides both services. Susan Steele, a certified acupuncturist, will come over from Jamie & Friends to provide her services, and Jess Fordham is coming from 4 Seasons Salon in Loveland.

Jaye, who has owned her salon in Longmont for 15 years, was a nail technician for six years in the late 1990s and early 2000s before she decided to go into business on her own.

She will start out with eight stylists and could employ as many as 16, including one to two barbers, who will work on commission at eight styling stations. She will offer an apprenticeship program for new stylists licensed as cosmetologists, who will be able to train with seasoned stylists and get hands-on experience in the things they do not learn in cosmetology school.

“It sometimes can be hard for new stylists to get into a salon while learning and doing hair,” Jaye said.

Jaye came up with the name for her salon based on the notion of sirens, which “have great hair,” she said. Her services will include cuts, colors and hair extensions from her line, HEVN, as well as manicures, pedicures, acrylic nails and acupuncture treatments. She will use three product lines, Unite for hair care and Redken and Pulp Riot for hair color.

“We’ll have the latest, greatest everything,” Jaye said.

Jaye will have four color processors, which are infrared lamps that provide better hair color than traditional methods.

“It speeds up the process time and drives color in to make hair shinier and brighter,” Jaye said. “It makes color last longer.”

Jaye, who calls her salon a social club, plans to serve coffee, tea, sodas and water during appointments.

“I just want it to be a place where people enjoy hanging out,” Jaye said.

Jaye also plans to involve the salon in the community by joining local organizations and hosting Berthoud-based groups.

“We are going to involve ourselves in everything we can in Berthoud,” Jaye said. “Berthoud has so many things going on at the same time. We’ll be a big part of everything going on.”

The salon will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Haircuts will be $30-45 on a level system, ranging from new to experienced stylists. Appointments can be booked by calling 970-532-4091 or online at sirenhouse.com.