Ann Marie Chimiak’s Luxury Salon Empire

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Ann Marie Chimiak has opened three luxury salons within the past five years. Accomplishing this, Chimiak said, largely revolved around prioritizing customers and maintaining a first-class reputation.

“Once you start that ball rolling and you hold true to it, your reputation means everything,” Chimiak said.

Chimiak’s salons have a team-oriented, commission-based approach. New hires undergo a 40-week apprentice program. Staffers are sorted into six different levels of experience and expertise. Employees are also expected to keep tabs on the latest products and trends with ongoing education initiatives.

This approach to running a salon contrasts with other owners who rent out their chairs. Chimiak compared that style of management to a restaurant owner who allows every server to be their own boss, resulting in each table having a different menu. 

“When salons went to that kind of method where the salon owner doesn’t have to deal with anything and they just rent their chairs out, you don’t know what you’re going to get,” Chimiak said.

Ensuring that customers know what they’re getting when they walk through the doors of one of Chimiak’s salons seems to be a winning strategy. 

Chimiak opened The Crown Salon in downtown Saratoga Springs five years ago. Despite a pandemic closing its doors for more than a year, The Crown survived and created a reputation that Chimiak has since utilized to open two new luxury spa bars: The Ruby at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, and The Jewel at the Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga.

Both of these spa bars offer express services, such as blowouts, updos, makeup, and 30-minute facials. The Crown is more full-service, focusing on haircuts and hair coloring.

The Ruby opened earlier this year. The Jewel’s storefront officially opens in August, but the salon is already providing services to Adelphi guests and residents.

Much like a four-star hotel, Chimiak’s salons prioritize customer experience above all else. “We’re customer-driven and we’re service-driven,” Chimiak said. “It’s not about our employees, it’s about our customers.”