Monte Durham, right, cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of his new eponymous salon Sept. 12 in Old Town. With him are (l-r) Mickey Durham, Jack Evans and Mayor Justin Wilson. Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Celebrity stylist Monte Durham of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” celebrated the grand opening of his new eponymous salon Sept. 12 in Old Town with a ribbon cutting followed by a reception held at Hummingbird Bar & Kitchen at Hotel Indigo.
“I just want to thank everybody for their love and support and for coming out to celebrate with us today,” said Durham just before cutting the ribbon to the new salon.
Mayor Justin Wilson was among the crowd of family and friends joining the longtime Alexandria resident.
"We are very thrilled that Monte is putting Alexandria on the map again and bringing business to the city," Wilson said. "Congratulations and thank you for making this happen."
The reception desk of Salon Monte, located at 210. S. Union St., will be staffed by Durham’s childhood friend Carla Cooley Wedell.
“We have been friends since the ’70s,” Cooley Wedell said. “We were disco partners then worked together at the Red Door Salon. Now we are reuniting on this very special project.”
The salon has instituted safety measures to protect clients and staff. Masks are required and the salon will abide by state and city regulations regarding COVID-19 precautions.
The opening of the salon coincided with the date of Jackie Kennedy’s wedding to John Kennedy in 1953. Durham is an admirer of the late First Lady and the salon features a portrait of her as well as a replica of her wedding dress.
Services offered include haircuts and coloring for both men and women. Prices start at $65 for a shampoo and styling with a staff stylist. Durham's rates begin at $95 for shampoo and styling, $195 for ladies haircut and style and $85 for gentlemen's haircut and style. Durham’s private label hair care products are also available for sale.
Salon Monte – 210 S. Union St., Alexandria. 703-217-7077. https://salonmonte.com/