In The Know #2
New Hair Salon: From Moscow to Pasadena
By By JAMES MACPHERSON
Jul 8, 2008, 1215507060

Ascanna and Yuriy Garayan in their soon-to-open J Beverly Hills salon on Green Street.

It's a long way from Moscow to the corner of Hudson and Green in Pasadena.

On July 31st, Yuriy Garayan will become an American success story in-the-making when he celebrates the opening of his J Beverly Hills hair salon at that busy intersection.

Yuriy, who worked for 10 years as a stylist with the internationally-famous Juan Juan in Beverly Hills, is an enthusiastic, warm young man who speaks with a charming Russian accent. He and his lovely wife Acsanna have worked for six months overseeing the meticulous planning and construction of the 2,000 square foot salon.

"We will make everyone who comes into J Beverly Hills feel like a star," Yuriy says passionately.

The salon will be a "family affair," he says, saying he aims to serve every member of the family from Mom and the kids "aunts and uncles, too!"

The emphasis will be on attentive personal service and warmth, Yuriy says. He uses words like "caring" and "friendship" to describe the relationships he wants to build with his clients.

The salon will feature 14 stations, but not at first: Yuriy is interviewing carefully and slowly to build his service team. Before getting out on the floor to work, Yuriy wants to be very certain each employee is trained to his satisfaction. At first, customers should expect to see a lot of him personally, working with colorist brother, Vagram.

"We specialize here," he explains. "Everybody does one thing, but they do it very well."

The Garayans are excited about Pasadena.

"I love Pasadena and I've always had in my mind the idea of being here," Acsanna. "When Yuriy said we should open the salon here, I said I'm with you all the way!'"

Stay tuned as Pasadena Now brings you more information on J Beverly Hills. The salon is under construction with a scheduled opening day of July 31st.