Studio 921 Relocates to McHenry Row in Locust Point
After 18 years at the Foundry on Fort Avenue complex in Locust Point, Studio 921 has moved a block east to 1607 Whetstone Way in McHenry Row. Studio 921 is downsizing from a 5,000 sq. ft. space to a smaller space that was previously the Hair Cuttery before it closed last year.
Studio 921 now offers haircuts, styling, and coloring, as well as skin care treatments, hair removal, and lash lifting and tinting. Studio 921 previously offered massages before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Studio 921 is owned by Judy Sulisufaj Kelly and Colleen Smith. Kelly told SouthBMore.com in an email, “Like most small businesses (especially in the city), the pandemic hit hard.” She added, “We have loved and thrived in our space at the Foundry on Fort Avenue for 18 years! However the last couple of years with COVID, closings, restrictions, and changes in our industry proved challenging to say the least.”
Studio 921 lost more than half its staff during the pandemic. Kelly and Smith said they needed to “take a deep breath, be humble, reevaluate, adjust, and get back to what made [them] great in the first place.”
Kelly noted it no longer made sense to stay in its large space with the current hiring challenges. They were hoping to stay in the neighborhood and Kelly said that while the search was difficult, they continued on until they found a suitable space at McHenry Row.
“Colleen and I couldn’t walk away from our staff and amazing clients we have grown to know so well,” said Kelly. “We knew we wanted to stay in the neighborhood and be able to offer our staff and guests parking, but we also knew our financial boundaries.”
“It’s a completely different ‘look’ from our former space, but the size and location is perfect. And, most importantly, I believe what makes our business work, is our strong culture, which is our people, the pride in our work, and the way we treat our guests,” she added.
Studio 921 opened in its new space last month. The new salon has eight stations and a treatment room.
It is open Tuesday from 10am to 7pm, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 8pm, Friday from 10am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
Studio 921’s former space at the Foundry on Fort Avenue will become a real estate office for Compass.
New location
Old location and future Compass office