“My goal with HI-FI Hair from the beginning was to create a safe, all-inclusive environment that once a customer walked through the door, they would feel seen and heard for who they are,” said owner and haircut specialist Jeff Gimenez.
Entering the specialty salon in historic downtown Sioux Falls, clients are met with the rich croon of a vinyl record as it floats through the air.
A glance around yields furniture with clean lines, items arranged on shelves, and wall art laced with simple, yet bold, shapes.
“The vibe of the salon is mid-century modern with lots of vintage radios and vinyl records that we play throughout the day,” said Gimenez. “Imagine being in your super cool aunt and uncle’s pad in the ‘50s or ‘60s.”
Accents of wood paneling and various orange, brown, and cream tones are found throughout to further the immersion.
“The inspiration for the salon was taking many of my favorite things: hair, design, music, art and architecture and mixing them all together to make my dream place to work.”
A big part of creating the perfect atmosphere in HI-FI is the soundtrack.
“The music is all carefully curated here at HI-FI Hair to keep the vibe fresh, funky, and groovy,” said Gimenez. “Guests will hear funk, soul, chill hop, exotica, jazz, and lounge.”
Many of the salon’s music can be found in playlists online, Spotify, or SoundCloud.
“On the first and third Friday of every month, we host Bangin’ Fridays. DJs create the musical vibe, and I offer bang trims, beard trims, or edge cleanups.”
He hopes to extend DJ takeovers to Saturdays as well.
THE SOUNDS OF HI-FI
LISTEN TO HI-FI PLAYLISTS AND ORIGINAL MIXES ON THE WEBSITE, SPOTIFY, OR SOUNDCLOUD.
+ Spotify // Hifi Hair SF
+ SoundCloud // Hifi Hair SF
TAKE A PEEK AT HI-FI’S RECORD COLLECTION.
+ Billie Holiday
+ Brock Berrigan
+ Durand Jones & The Indications
+ Frank Sinatra
+ Gene McDaniels
HI-FI Hair currently offers haircut and nail services, and Gimenez says they plan to add a color specialist in the spring.
“When seeing one of our specialists, you will be seeing a true expert in their field with years of training and experience in a single discipline,” said Gimenez.
While Gimenez does the hair-cutting and styling services, Yanika Olsen focuses on nail artistry ranging from simplistic to more artsy designs.
REWIND
+ Gimenez says he spent 22 years of his haircut career in high end, downtown San Francisco salons. In 2019, he and his family moved to Sioux Falls and began his own business in the form of HI-FI Hair.
The hair services include haircuts and styling for both kids and adults.
Olsen offers manicures and pedicures with gel or regular polish. She also can do gel nail extensions or product removal.
The salon sensations and services aren’t just for those that may feel a nostalgic hug from the atmosphere.
“We are so fortunate to see people between the ages of 1 and 80 with a diverse range of personality, profession, and style.”
LO-FI GALLERY
FIND A GALLERY OF LOCAL ARTISTS AND MAKERS INSIDE THE SALON, WHICH CAN SERVE AS HOST TO SHOWS AND POP-UP SHOPS.
The vibe can also fuel a step back, which can create simply time-defying moments for those born after vinyl.
“HI-FI Hair is an experience,” explained Gimenez. “It is a place to leave the stress of day-to-day life at the door and be transported to a different time and place.”
