A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of stopping into Moon Baby and visiting with Sara, the owner. Her new space in Salem is super well put together and I strongly suggest you pop your head in if you’re on Essex Street. With touches of the old building peeking through the new work she has put into it it has a unique and welcoming vibe.
She is located at 302 B Essex Street Salem, MA 01970, can be reached at (978) 594-4858 and found online here.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your shop.

“My name is Sara Jane and I am the owner of Moon Baby Hair & Wares, a hair salon and antique shop in the heart of downtown Salem.”

What was the inspiration for opening the shop?

“I had worked as a hairstylist in the South End of Boston for 11+ years and living in Salem and seeing it grow so rapidly and wonderfully I started to see how I could bring my craft to Salem and succeed as a small business owner. I was putting in a lot of hard work and hours and it was time for me to branch out on my own.”

What made you choose the name?

“Finding a name that really worked was very hard. I didn’t want anything too kitschy or spooky but something that still made sense for Salem. It sort of just came to me. When I found out that a Moon Baby was essentially a baby werewolf (one of my favorite classic monsters) I knew it was perfect.”

What made you choose Salem for the location of your shop?

“I’ve lived in Salem for 8 years this Halloween and the more I was away from Salem the more I knew I had to find a way to be closer to home. I love it here. The location for Moon Baby was the first space I looked at and it just felt right. It actually went off the market after I saw it and I was so bummed out. A few months later I got the call that it was available again and I knew it was the one. Salem needed a high end salon with a unique aesthetic as more people moved this way. There’s a lot of support for small businesses here from the mayor and the community.”

What has the biggest challenge been for you as a business owner in the witch city? What advise would you give to someone considering opening a shop in Salem?

“Be prepared for the craziness that comes with renovating and occupying an old historic building. There are a lot of hoops to jump through and lots of paperwork so be prepared for anything and everything. There were a lot of surprises we ran into and some snags with state and city inspection dates so always have a plan.”

What’s one thing you’d want people to know about your business that may not be inherently obvious?

“Our goal is to offer everyone a safe, comfortable and unique place to come and get your hair done and express yourself. We are working hard on Moon Baby be 100% cruelty free and always educating ourselves on the newest cruelty free products and brands. Also, stop by the shop and check out the antiques and vintage goods as well!”

Is running a business in Salem in October as chaotic as it sounds?

“I’m slightly terrified for October. We have started to prepare for it already. I haven’t been opened yet for a Halloween season but I’ve worked past seasons closely with Witch City Wicks (my sister and neighboring candle shop) and it’s definitely been chaotic for sure but always a blast as it’s our favorite holiday.”

Do you have any future or upcoming events you’re excited about or want to share?

“We have a few things in the works. Stay tuned…”

Do you have a product that is your specialty? Is there something specific you’re known for?

“We do a lot of vivid colors and custom colors. The brighter the better! I’ve always loved creating custom red formulas as they are the hardest to keep. We also love free form hair painting for a natural look as well. Color services are just fun in general. Our products being cruelty free has been very important for the majority of our clientele as well.”

Do you do anything specific or special during certain times of the year? October or non.

“As we just had our grand opening we are still brainstorming and getting some great ideas to share in the near future so keep your eyes peeled!”

Thank you to Sara for having me in the shop and chatting!! Everyone be sure to swing by and reach out to her with any questions. <3

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