The Babooshka concept was started in New York about 12 years ago. The salon moved to Denver 7 years ago and was originally downtown.

I moved the salon to it’s current location in the Bluebird District 3 years ago. I’ve been a stylist for over 20 years. Babooshka is now currently home to 6 stylists who all share a very strong bond.

After putting my faith in the universe and having it guide me to Denver, Babooshka moved to this current location by part act of coincidence and part needing something more positive. Owning a salon downtown had me out of touch with the community that I really love and take part in, so I moved it over to the Bluebird District so as to welcome a more involved and diverse community.

It’s simple really: Community, culture, and hair!

It really came down to a matter of timing, everything just came together at the most opportune time and we decided to go for it.

Our salon is its own community! The level of interaction between our stylists and our clients is very important to us, and it shows when our clients spend more time here. Part of what makes operating Babooshka so worthwhile is that when our clients come down to get a hair cut or color, they stick around and take part in the community we are all a part of. Babooshka is like a hub for local community and culture. For example, The Fabric Lab (a local fashion boutique) used to operate out of our basement. We helped cultivate a great idea into what now is a prominent boutique with its own storefront down the street. We also hang art by local artists every two months, and we welcome any artist and any media.

There is simply so much more of a face to local businesses. That statement could never ring so true as when you walk into Babooshka. From the unique stylist’s stations (rugged tool chests on wheels), the rope swing, all the little baubles and knick-nacks, the local art, and PBR Fridays! Where else are you going to get a free PBR while your getting your hair styled? Not at any corporate chain, that’s for sure. There is so much more atmosphere and fun to a local business that you can never achieve with a chain. That’s what makes it worth it, and the local community responds to that.

When Babooshka first moved to this location most of the other storefronts on the block were boarded up. Since then, I’ve witnessed a huge push towards improving this district. Atomic Cowboy, Barb’s Flower Shop, Hooked on Colfax, Propaganda Labs, Mezcal, and Café Star have all made their homes here in the last 3 years. The whole neighborhood has become closer as a result of our efforts. The timing was just right and the Bluebird District is now an amazing community.

A grown man was walking around the block wearing nothing but a giant diaper. He came into the salon to be greeted by total silence and jaw-dropping stares! Turns out the tattoo parlor across the street, Peter Tat-2, had just brought on a new apprentice and had to initiate him… and they decided that dressing him up in a diaper and sending him around the neighborhood would be appropriate.