July 20, 2021

A luxury male salon and spa is coming to downtown Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls-based salon Vanessen’s Hair Design has been in the area for 33 years. The salon has two locations, one on 26th Street and another at The Bridges at 57th, but wanted to add a third location to serve male clientele exclusively. 

Sir by Vanessen’s is designed to do exactly that.

Nikki Wood, Vanessen’s barber, has been working with the salon for the past eight years.

“Originally, she was intermixed with our other cosmetologists, but three years ago I created a separate space for her within our salons,” owner Gloria Kolbeck said. “We saw that the men loved having their own space within the salon to go to and that they felt a lot more comfortable just by themselves.”

When Wood approached Kolbeck about opening Sir by Vanessen’s, Kolbeck said she believed that the concept could be something Sioux Falls had not seen before.

“We feel like Sioux Falls doesn’t have anything that we are going to offer,” Kolbeck said. 

“There are barbershops, but not spas or salons that serve just men. We felt like men did not have a comfortable space to go and receive those services because it is always focused on women when you walk into these places.”

As far as location, they knew that downtown would be the best, Kolbeck said.

“We thought we could service a lot of the men downtown,” she said. 

“We love what downtown Sioux Falls is becoming; it is growing and new concepts keep popping up.

“We also believe that there are people, men especially, going downtown more often,” Wood said. 

“So some of them are in the market for the business, professional side and others to relax and have a good time. We believe that we can serve both.”

The salon has leased space at 430 E. Eighth St. in the East Bank Depot. 

So far, the new location has four employees hired with plans to add at least two more before opening.

“We will have a number of cosmetologists and barbers in the space and six styling and cutting stations with hopes of expanding into eight,” Kolbeck said. 

Services will include all of Vanessen’s traditional lines, but for men.

“We will have manicure and pedicure stations, a spa suite that will offer waxing, facials and hopes to offer massages as well, and cutting and styling stations,” Wood said. 

“This will be a comfortable space where they will be surrounded by other gentlemen. Men just really want to feel good. I would not say they are pampering themselves, but they are really starting to up their game as far as treating themselves.”

The space is going to be modern with a rustic twist, Wood said.

“There are going to be lots of woods and leathers,” she said. “It is going to have mellow, low-light features that are going to be very relaxing and comforting.”

“I’m excited to see their vision come to fruition,” said Alexis Konstant, the Lloyd Cos. broker who leased the space.​ “The three owners have the drive, vision and talent to make this a home run location.”

Moving forward, Vanessen’s hopes to keep growing and expanding, Kolbeck said.

“We look forward to growth in the future whether it is a dual concept with a men’s and women’s side or a continued expansion of Vanessen’s and Sir individually,” Kolbeck said. “We just hope that the Sioux Falls community continues to support us.”

The plan is to open Sir this fall.