In Montreal, express hair salons are gaining popularity due to their affordability and convenience. Station 10, located at the Longueuil terminus, offers haircuts starting at $6, with a cap of $35, attracting a diverse clientele. The salon’s efficient design allows for quick services, catering to busy customers. Owner André Dagenais emphasizes minimal overhead costs, enabling lower prices. With plans for expansion, the salon continues to provide an accessible alternative to traditional hair salons.
Exploring Express Hair Salons in Montreal
In the vibrant city of Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier is constantly on the move, his office tucked away in his backpack. With an eye for compelling stories, he engages with people from all walks of life for his urban column.
Frustrated by high salon prices, harsh chemical smells, and long waits, many locals are turning to express hair salons located in convenient spots like bus stations and subway corridors. These quick-service salons have a fixed price cap of $35 for a haircut, making them an appealing option for budget-conscious customers.
Inside Station 10: A Unique Haircut Experience
At the Longueuil terminus, you’ll find Station 10, a salon that stands out with its glass rectangular design, resembling a compact house. This innovative space lacks traditional amenities such as sinks and dryers, focusing instead on efficiency. Beneath UV disinfecting machines, there are unique “taximeters” that track your haircut cost. Starting at just $6, if you book your appointment a day in advance through the Station 10 website, you pay $1 per minute, capping at $35. This model has attracted a diverse clientele, with women now making up about 20% of the customers, as they often face higher haircut costs elsewhere. April Walker, a satisfied customer, shares her experience: “Previously, I was charged $56 for just a wash and cut. Here, I save $20 each visit!”
The atmosphere inside the salon reflects the fast pace of the terminus. Hairdresser Debbie Santini, who has worked here for six years, notes, “The haircutting rhythm is perfect for a transit hub like this. Many clients come in just before catching their bus or during their lunch breaks, so we keep it quick.” Once the timer starts, a haircut rarely exceeds 30 minutes. Carolle Pelletier, a 74-year-old retiree, appreciates the affordability: “I used to hunt for senior discounts, but now I just come here without worrying about prices.” Another client, Bénédicte, emphasizes the simplicity of her haircut, stating she has never hit the $35 cap.
Hairdresser Lalë Ozer enjoys the express model as well, saying, “I love not spending all day surrounded by chemical products.”
Station 10’s owner, André Dagenais, takes pride in creating a streamlined salon with minimal administrative overhead, allowing for lower prices. With two additional locations—one in the Cathcart tunnel and another in the Montreal Bus Terminal—Dagenais plans to maintain the $1 per minute pricing but hints at a potential increase in the base rate this spring.