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Award-winning Huntsville salon to launch this fall at new Whole Foods-anchored project

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Lucy Berry
The Huntsville Times
al.com

A Huntsville salon founded more than 40 years ago will start a fresh chapter this year at the new Shops at Merchants Walk under development at Memorial Parkway and Bob Wallace Avenue.

Shelby Zimmermann and Ann Bray of The Masters Salon were featured in The Huntsville Times in early 2014 for their work on “The Hunger Games” movies.

 

 

 

 

The Masters Salon will occupy a 2,700-square-foot space next to Whole Foods Market in late July, with an opening date set for early fall. The company, founded by Ann and Gary Bray in 1973, will join Whole Foods, Maki Fresh Sushi Rolls and Japanese Grill, Mountain High Outfitters, Orangetheory Fitness and Spa Sydell at the $50 million development.

The Masters will continue its focus on color, cutting and styling at the new facility, while maintaining its current location on 7500 S. Memorial Parkway for a future project that has not been released.

“I feel as if a new chapter has been written for a book that was already a bestseller,” said Shelby Zimmermann, vice president and artistic director for the salon. “The Masters Salon has enjoyed a long history in Huntsville, and with this next step, we are securing an even stronger future.”

Ann Bray styled hair for “The Hunger Games” movies and Taylor Swift’s 2013 Grammy performance of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” according to AL.com news partner WHNT.

Shannon Shuman Martin, founder of Retail Leasing Advisors, a leasing team member for RCP Companies, said she worked with Bray, Zimmermann and CEO Brett Pierce to make the salon’s relocation a reality.

“The locally-owned family business has a unique and artistic approach to hair styling, cutting and color,” she said. “The founder, Ann Bray, is a well-known celebrity stylist, who travels all over for movie production assignments, including films such as ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy.”

The Shops at Merchants Walk, which includes a Regions Bank branch and parking garage, broke ground in June 2014. Whole Foods, a 42,000-square-foot organic and natural foods retailer with a store in Birmingham, will employ 175-200 workers when it opens this fall.

Pierce, who has more than 22 years of experience in hair color and manages the salon, said Zimmermann is also a world-renowned stylist like her mother.

Crews will begin work next week on a project to improve traffic flow and drainage at Bob Wallace Avenue between Memorial Parkway and L&N Drive. The upgrades are part of an $8 million incentive package the Huntsville City Council approved for The Shops at Merchants Walk.