In every small town across America, there’s at least one salon that raises the bar for everyone else. Dublin, GA (population 16,379) has J. Keyton Salon & Spa.
Equidistant from Savannah and Atlanta sits the town of Dublin, GA, said to be named after the capital of Ireland. This small community in middle Georgia offers recreational opportunities for golf, tennis and fishing enthusiasts, as well as shopping in its busy downtown retail center. Amid these shops is J. Keyton Salon & Spa, situated on the first floor of the Fred Roberts Hotel. The hotel, which was built in the 1920s, reopened in 2011 as a retail and residential space.
“When customers walk into the salon, they feel as if they have walked through the doors of an upscale salon in one of America’s metropolitan cities,” says owner Jason Brandon Keyton. “Our style is very modern with elegant touches. It blends industrial and soft, feminine looks.” The 1,300-square-foot establishment features full-length mirrors; 90-year-old terrazzo, concrete and porcelain flooring; and crystal chandeliers in the waiting area. The walls are painted shades of gray, providing a chic backdrop for the black and white furniture.
J. Keyton Salon & Spa moved downtown in late 2014, and occupied two previous spaces in town during its 16 years in business. The salon offers services like haircuts, color, extensions, waxing and facials. “Almost all of our clients receive some form of color with their haircuts,” Keyton says. Guests understand they’re getting more than just a service; they’re also forging a relationship with the stylist, he adds.
When the five stylists on staff aren’t performing salon services, they are partnering with charities like St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which raises money to help find a cure for childhood cancers. They also hold social events like Ladies’ Night Out, which teaches women how to recreate hair looks at home. Keyton says he would like to get involved with more great causes in the future.
As for what else is down the pipeline, Keyton is about to begin an extensive training program with Aveda to further his education, and then share that knowledge with the staff, helping them grow. ✂ —Corie Hengst
In stock: Aveda
PHOTOGRAPHY: Ashley Evans (Halo Photography)