Welcome to the first of many blogs from Grotto Hair Studio! We’re excited to share our journey, insights, and expertise with you. This space will not only highlight our story but also provide valuable tips and information about hair care, styling, and community happenings. We encourage you to read along, share your thoughts, and let us know what topics you’d like us to cover in future posts.
For our first blog post, I reflect upon the almost 18-year journey of Grotto Hair Studio and I am beyond grateful for what led us to where we are today. It all began with a Nokia Flip phone… well that’s true, it really started with a vision to create a positive work environment. One that built other stylists up, rather than being so competitive that it stopped a community/ family feel. A space where our team of stylists could ask questions and work together. I wanted clients to walk in the door and understand they could see any of our stylists and we welcomed the change for them to experience. Having worked in various salons, I found this was something lacking.
Our story began in 2007, when we first opened our doors at what is now Corner Store & Candy Co. It was a small beginning, but we quickly realized the need for a dedicated space for education and training. To address this, we took over what is now Jenn & Larry’s Ice Cream Shoppe. As we grew, we knew we needed a larger salon space, and when the opportunity arose, we moved into what is now Coles & Keys.
At one point, we had three rental spaces all on York Street. We knew York street was where we wanted to stay, but we needed a solution to our growing business. When our fifth anniversary rolled around, we took a significant step and purchased the building at 19 York St, where we have settled into our current space. Being on this beautiful street in Stratford, overlooking the river, has truly been a dream and a vision come true.
When we moved into this building, we knew it was the right one—because of all the windows. As we grew, we began to see ourselves as a lighthouse—something people are drawn to, even if they don’t know exactly why. That pull, that difference you feel when you walk through our doors, is the feeling of family. Of support. Of respect.
It’s the love we have for each other—and for every client who walks into this space.
But our journey didn’t stop there. In the middle of the 2020 pandemic, we expanded once more by taking over the upstairs space, which was previously Luv Scarlet. This allowed us to create more room for our beautiful retail boutique, add five more styling chairs, and establish a prime entrance off busy Ontario St.
Through these changes, our dedication to education and innovation has remained a priority. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with Summit as a Certified Salon Business Coach, helping other salons maximize their successes, and I’ve traveled the world with L’Oréal Professionnel, continually learning and evolving as both a stylist and a business owner.
Our team has become a tight-knit family, supporting each other and our clients through thick and thin. I am eternally grateful for my staff, who have not only been there for me but have shown unwavering support for one another and our clients.
An interesting fact about our Grotto family is that collectively, we have welcomed over 20 children into the world over the years! It’s been heartwarming to see our community grow.
At Grotto, we celebrate the good times and stand together during tough moments. Our salon has become a place where everyone is welcome, and we specialize in addressing the diverse needs of our clients’ hair types. From fine to coarse hair, we have built a team capable of handling a wide variety of styles and care.
As we continue this journey, I am excited about the future of Grotto Hair Studio. We cherish our role within Stratford’s community, especially among the York St family of businesses. Thank you for being part of our story. Your support is what makes this journey worthwhile!
We welcome your feedback on what you’d like to learn more about in future blogs. Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to share this post with friends who might be interested!
With love,
Jillian Chambers
Owner & Stylist
