Casa Bella Salon to open in Ann Arbor, benefit at-risk kids

Some salons are just salons, but not the new Casa Bella on N. Maple Rd. The hair, nails and massage spa won't just be servicing the beauty needs of clients, but also a very special community need. Owner Kaliah Wolf says that 90 percent of Casa Bella's profits will be used to fund Caron's Crazy Corral, Wolf's new non-profit that pairs at-risk children with therapeutic horse lessons. 

 

"Some of these kids' parents are drug addicts; some are in jail," says Wolf. "Our mission is to teach them that they are only limited by their dreams."

 

The seven-month-old 501(c)(3) is located on Sylvan Rd. in Chelsea and has received an outpouring of support and interested from the community already. Within three months of opening, Caron's Crazy Corral was serving 25 local kids. Wolf is now developing a 4H program at farm, and is partnering with other non-profits to expand their services to more kids in need. 

 

In the meantime, the 785 square-foot Casa Bella joins a rush of occupancy at the Maple Rd. shopping center in which Juicy Kitchen, El Harissa Market and a new tattoo shop have or are scheduled to open this year. Wolf says the sense of community in the complex is what drew her to the location. 

 

"Everybody in the shopping center has been helpful and friendly," she says. "It's a little downtown there. "

 

Though not technically open yet, Casa Bella has been servicing a few clients in their new location and Wolf plans to open to the public soon. The salon currently employs a staff of three and Wolf is looking to hire another stylist, massage therapist and makeup artist.