FLINT, Michigan—The architectural symmetry. The flood of natural lighting. The mini forest decor and colorful bottles of hair potions. The atmosphere here is filled with hints of vanilla and heaps of laughter.
Welcome to Refinery Hair Co., a salon that prides itself on creating a beautiful experience from head to toe and all around.
Owners Dan Buccilli and David Custer opened Refinery Hair Co. in March, the latest in a series of developments in downtown Flint. Their business brings new life to the former Advertisers Press building on Harrison Street, which was purchased by downtown businessman Phil Shaltz in 2017.
Even the walls look perfectly imperfect. The bathroom is a sanctuary. Oh, and, they have 12 stylists who offer cuts, styles, blowouts, color, and everything else imaginable to do a do.
“I love the atmosphere, being able to be free and have peace,” said stylist Shailanae Beavers, 25, of Flint. “They created that here.”
Buccilli, 30, and Custer, 38, embody the modern-day power couple: millennial, versatile, and brand-building.
Buccilli is the creative one who studied first at the Culinary Institute of Michigan before realizing he needed a profession that blended art, design, and people. He shifted gears and attended the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Lansing and started his cosmetology career in 2009.
Custer brings the eye for detail to their business. Well-known locally, Custer grew up in Goodrich, attended UM-Flint where he studied communications, and is an award-winning anchor of WNEM news, the local CBS affiliate on Channel 5.
When deciding to launch their own business, the couple agreed location is everything.
And, for them, that location had to be Flint.
Their stylists’ loyal clientele come from all over the state — Alpena, Detroit, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Detroit — as well as throughout Genesee County.
"We are bringing a lot of people into the city that have not been here, either ever or in several years," said Buccilli.
And, some of their customers have been nothing short of shocked seeing downtown Flint blossoming. That mission motivated Buccilli and Custer to make the salon an experience — including a custom tea blend to welcome each client to their pampering.
"We have a few stylists here who keep on top of (trends on social media) and also I would even go as far as to say they are trendsetters themselves." said Custer. "I see a lot of people come in just to visit with them and chat with them, but also (the stylists) emulate what they're doing.”
In the coming months, they expect to add four or five more stylists and offer additional spa amenities like facials and massages.
Refinery Hair Co. is located at 718 Harrison St. in downtown Flint. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, check out their
Facebook page. Or call 810-875-9507.
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