Having just recently celebrated their second anniversary, co-owners Linz and Jess Hunt’s Bloodline Parlor makes a dynamic addition to Water Street.
Like the many other unique businesses in the district, the boutique beauty salon looks and feels like the physical manifestation of the artisan denizens that operate it.
Resplendent in leather and silver and oozing nonchalant glamour at the flick of her wrist, younger sister — and avid Kate Moss enthusiast — Linz explains that it was the plethora of terrific neighbors that made the two decide upon Water Street as their permanent locale.
“All the shops do one specific thing and do it really well,” Linz says. “There’s community, but also focus on the product. The neighborhood was clearly on its way up.”
The sisters’ successful formula sees Linz proficiently handling the front of house aspects, while older sister Jess takes the reigns as head stylist.
Having secured her reputation years ago as one of the most sought after stylists in the Kawartha region, Jess commands the room emitting infectious energy from her tiny frame.
It’s a great double act. “The perfect partnership,” Linz adds with a wink.
Jess and her team provide all of the necessities to the discerning client. With a huge customer base — including women, men, and children — the baroque-yet-relaxed atmosphere offers a little something for everyone.
A cardboard Elvis standee sits comfortably across from a guilded Queen Victoria portrait, and the front sitting area contains some of the best coffee table books you’ll ever lay your eyes upon.
“We set out to create a living room vibe where anyone could feel at home to enjoy the experience and not just feel like they were occupying a block of someone else’s time,” says Jess.
As the parlor’s client base has steadily expanded since its inception, so too has its stylist team grown: youngest sister Ali LaFrance and Vanessa Wunderlich, a longtime friend of the family and honorary sister, now count among Bloodline’s estimable ranks.
Though the name “Bloodline” may seem imposing to the uninitiated, the colourful word is a more interesting way of celebrating the Hunt family lineage and a fruitful sisterhood that continues to blossom. As they say on their Facebook page: “We couldn’t call it the Sisterly Love Salon.”
Bloodline Parlour’s hours are flexible. Call them at 705-748-4247.
