MAPLEWOOD, Mo (KMOX) - On this Monday, AmberSky in Maplewood appears closed. But that's because it is Mindful Monday: a day when the salon is open only to children with special needs. One child at a time, booked for a full hour.
The usual flurry of noise and activity is nowhere to be found. No blow dryers, no other children running about. There's soft music playing, lights low, minimal sensory output. Their customers have a wide variety of sensitivities.
"Sometimes it's not liking haircuts in general. Sometimes not liking sitting in one spot, not liking hair on them," says AmberSky owner Jaime Lueders. "If they don't want to sit in the chairs, they can sit on the floor. Sometimes they'll lay their head on [stylist] Jill's lap and she's able to cut their hair that way. Just being able to have that quiet time, she's able to customize things to that child's needs."
Stylist Jill Boggeman says sometimes she only gets two snips in before they have to take a break, and sometimes two snips are all they get.
They haven't perfected Frankie's haircut, Amy admits. It's a work in progress. But when asked about AmberSky's no-judgment zone Amy tears up.
"Oh my God, you're going to make me cry. Honestly."
When it's not Mindful Monday – which happens on the third Monday of every month – AmberSky is a family hair salon. Children are always welcome and they give parents the opportunity to get their haircut at the same time. While they've found a niche with kids, both Jaime and Jill say they'd love more adult clients. Often, it's a harried mom who can't find the time otherwise to get her hair done.