A luxury family-friendly hair salon is now open in Aspinwall.
Tonic Salon hosted a soft-opening celebration Sunday, July 21, at 339 First St., off Brilliant Avenue.
The event drew a packed house, and guests enjoyed champagne and Italian spirits.
“We do hair differently here. It’s the total experience, and we try and curate an environment that elevates the experience,” owner and stylist Marcus Garcia said.
It’s the third Tonic Salon to open in the Pittsburgh region.
Garcia, formerly of Allison Park, and his partner, professional photographer Adam Milliron, formerly of Lawrenceville, moved to Aspinwall about a year ago.
“We’re super-city kids, and Aspinwall is so comfortable and easy here,” said Garcia, who can walk to work.
Milliron works as a professional photographer and was instrumental in curating the spaces, drawing on the couple’s travels to New York City, the West Indies and Tulum, Mexico, for inspiration.
The decor of Tonic Salon nods to old money, country club wealth with a dash of Palm Springs with pink and gold accents, retro-modern lighting and exposed brick for a modern, industrial vibe.
“We wanted it to feel sexy and flirty, but approachable and cool,” Garcia said.
The space originally was a bank and boasts two original vaults repurposed as grooming stations.
One vault area has been transformed into a grooming lounge dubbed The Vault, featuring an old-school barber chair and two stylists specializing in men’s grooming and barbering.
The salon has a total of seven stations and offers color, cutting, extensions and keratin treatments.
“A space that feels a little more masculine,” said Garcia of the chocolate crocodile-styled walls and 24K gold-leaf ceiling, all done by hand.
The other vault space will welcome kiddos and is named Little T’s.
“We’re going to be a space the entire family will want to come to,” Garcia said. “We want to make things feel special for each member of the family.”
Tonic’s flagship salon opened in Wexford five years ago.
A second Tonic Atelier, a private salon designed to service one client at a time, is located on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville/Bloomfield neighborhood.
Haircuts at the Aspinwall location range in price from $40 to $150.
Garcia instructs his stylists for a minimum of 1.5 years in a customized apprenticeship program after they graduate from cosmetology school.
Originally from Denver, Garcia said he discovered his love of hair as a young child.
Garcia travels often, working for clients nationwide including “The Today Show.”
The salon offers a variety of beverages to its adult clients, including red and white wines, French-press coffees, hot teas, whiskey and spirits.
“We want everyone to feel good,” Garcia said of the complimentary libations. “We all absolutely 100% try to be kind and approachable.”
Stylist Olivia Barger attended the welcoming open house.
“My jaw was on the floor as soon as I walked in. This is what the Tonic brand is. It’s sleek, edgy but welcoming,” Barger said.
Barger of Brookline serves as education director, overseeing the in-house training of Tonic stylists.
“We want everyone to feel comfortable because sometimes getting your hair done takes a long time,” Barger said. “After work, you may want a glass of wine while you get your hair done. There’s no judging.”
Barger was hired by Garcia in 2019 and pointed out the uniqueness of having different hair stations for clients.
“Sometimes, for kids at a salon, it can be a bit of sensory overload, and the vault will give them their space,” Barger said. “It keeps everything separated, and the kids will love to get their haircut in an old bank vault.”
Aspinwall Mayor Joe Noro extended a warm welcome to the newest tenants in the borough.
“We’re so very pleased that Tonic Salon has chosen Aspinwall for its new location. I’m certain the community will support our newest business and welcome them to our community,” Noro said.
Garcia said the expansion is exciting.
“We’re looking forward to being a gathering place for the community to relax, recharge and feel beautiful. We can’t wait to meet you,” Garcia said.
Featured Local Businesses
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com