Best neighborhoods for a hair salon in Minneapolis

For small business founders looking to open a hair salon in Minneapolis, location is everything. The right neighborhood can mean the difference between thriving and struggling. Based on Locavisor's location intelligence data, Lake Street / Powderhorn emerges as the top neighborhood for a hair salon in Minneapolis, with an overall score of 6.0/10 and a confidence rating of 78%.

Where is the best location for a hair salon in Minneapolis?

The answer depends on your specific business model, target demographic, and budget. However, based on comprehensive location intelligence data, Lake Street / Powderhorn stands out as the top neighborhood for a hair salon in Minneapolis. This area scores 6.0/10 in our analysis, with a confidence rating of 78%. The neighborhood offers a rent band of $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN, making it accessible for new business owners while still providing strong foot traffic and customer potential.

When evaluating neighborhoods for a hair salon, consider these key factors:

• Foot traffic and visibility
• Demographics matching your target customer
• Competition density
• Accessibility and parking
• Rent affordability
• Proximity to complementary businesses

Lake Street / Powderhorn checks many of these boxes, with major anchors including Hi-Lake Shopping Center, Minnehaha Center, and convenient transit options at Lake Street Midtown Station and I-35w & Lake St Station.

Top neighborhoods for a hair salon in Minneapolis

Let's dive into the top five neighborhoods for a hair salon in Minneapolis, ranked by Locavisor's scoring system:

Lake Street / Powderhorn

Score: 6.0/10 | Confidence: 78% | Rent: $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN

Lake Street / Powderhorn tops our list for several reasons. This neighborhood offers strong foot traffic with major shopping centers like Hi-Lake Shopping Center and Minnehaha Center. The area has excellent transit access with Lake Street Midtown Station and I-35w & Lake St Station, making it convenient for customers without cars. The rent band of $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN provides flexibility for different business models.

The neighborhood is home to several existing hair salons, including Lupita Nail Salon, Eclipse Beauty Salon, Essence beauty salon, Bonita Beauty Salon, K's Beauty salon, Samia's Salon, and Imperios Beauty Salon. This competition indicates a healthy demand for hair services in the area.

North Loop

Score: 5.9/10 | Confidence: 78% | Rent: $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN

North Loop comes in second with a score of 5.9/10. This trendy neighborhood features major retail anchors like Nicollet Mall and Gaviidae Common. The area has a growing professional population with office spaces at Spaces North Loop and North Loop Green 350. Educational institutions like University of St. Thomas - Minneapolis Campus and C U University contribute to a steady customer base.

North Loop has several well-established hair salons, including Meraki Hair Lounge (4.9 stars, 144 reviews), HAUS Salon North Loop (4.8 stars, 509 reviews), Santé Beauty Creatives at International Market Square (4.9 stars, 56 reviews), The 701 Salon (4.4 stars, 21 reviews), and Blue Haven Beauty (5 stars, 17 reviews). The high ratings of these establishments suggest customers in this area value quality hair services.

Lowry Hill

Score: 5.9/10 | Confidence: 78% | Rent: $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN

Lowry Hill ties for second place with North Loop. This neighborhood benefits from its proximity to major retail centers like Gaviidae Common and has a strong office presence with buildings like Lowry Rose Building and Space Unlimited. Educational institutions such as Dunwoody College of Technology and Summit Academy OIC provide a consistent customer base.

The neighborhood offers excellent transit access through Metro Transit Office & Police and Uptown Transit Station. Thomas Lowry Park adds to the area's appeal, potentially attracting customers who appreciate a pleasant environment.

Downtown

Score: 5.8/10 | Confidence: 78% | Rent: $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN

Downtown Minneapolis, with its score of 5.8/10, offers significant advantages for hair salon owners. The area benefits from the Metro Transit Service Center, ensuring good accessibility for customers. Downtown's central location means high visibility and potential for walk-in business.

While the rent band remains $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN, downtown locations may have higher absolute rent costs due to premium positioning. The neighborhood's business density creates opportunities for partnerships with corporate clients and office workers.

Cedar-Riverside

Score: 5.6/10 | Confidence: 78% | Rent: $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN

Cedar-Riverside rounds out our top five with a score of 5.6/10. This neighborhood features Riverside Mall and Riverside Plaza as key anchors. Augsburg University and Cedar Riverside Adult Education Collaborative provide educational traffic, while Cedar-Riverside Station ensures transit accessibility.

Mill Ruins Park adds to the neighborhood's appeal, potentially attracting customers who appreciate a pleasant environment. The rent band of $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN makes this area particularly attractive for budget-conscious entrepreneurs.

Neighborhood comparison table

Neighborhood	Score	Confidence	Rent Band	Key Advantages	Potential Challenges
Lake Street / Powderhorn	6.0/10	78%	$13-$33/sqft/yr NNN	Strong foot traffic, multiple shopping centers, good transit	Competition from existing salons
North Loop	5.9/10	78%	$13-$33/sqft/yr NNN	Trendy area, professional customer base, high-rated salons	Potentially higher absolute rents
Lowry Hill	5.9/10	78%	$13-$33/sqft/yr NNN	Proximity to retail, strong office presence, park nearby	May require higher marketing to stand out
Downtown	5.8/10	78%	$13-$33/sqft/yr NNN	Central location, high visibility, corporate clientele	Higher absolute rent costs
Cedar-Riverside	5.6/10	78%	$13-$33/sqft/yr NNN	Educational institutions, park nearby, affordable rent	May need more marketing to build awareness

How to validate the shortlist before signing a lease

Before committing to a location, conduct thorough due diligence:

1. Visit during different times: Observe foot traffic patterns throughout the day, week, and month. What looks busy during lunch hours might be dead on weekends.

2. Talk to existing business owners: Speak with nearby retailers, especially those in complementary businesses like nail salons or boutiques. They can provide insights about customer demographics and spending habits.

3. Analyze competition: Visit the existing hair salons in your shortlisted neighborhoods. Note their pricing, services, and customer base. Look for gaps in the market that your salon could fill.

4. Check parking availability: Ensure customers can easily access your location, whether by car, bike, or public transit.

5. Review local regulations: Contact the city's business licensing department to understand any specific requirements for hair salons in each neighborhood.

6. Assess visibility: Consider how visible your salon will be from the street. Corner locations or those with good signage potential have advantages.

Remember that rent bands of $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN provide a range, but actual costs may vary based on specific locations within each neighborhood and the condition of the space.

Local competition signals to check

The presence of established hair salons in a neighborhood can be both a positive and negative signal. On one hand, it indicates demand for hair services. On the other hand, it means you'll be entering a competitive market.

In Lake Street / Powderhorn, you'll find several salons including Lupita Nail Salon (3.9 stars, 194 reviews), Eclipse Beauty Salon (4.7 stars, 50 reviews), and Essence beauty salon (4.4 stars, 57 reviews). These establishments have built customer loyalty, suggesting the area supports hair businesses.

North Loop shows even stronger competition with highly-rated salons like Meraki Hair Lounge (4.9 stars, 144 reviews), HAUS Salon North Loop (4.8 stars, 509 reviews), and Santé Beauty Creatives at International Market Square (4.9 stars, 56 reviews). The high review counts and ratings indicate these businesses are successful and have found their niche.

When evaluating competition, look beyond star ratings. Read recent reviews to understand what customers value in these salons. Common themes from Minneapolis hair salon reviews include:

• Appreciation for competitive and fair pricing
• Value placed on fast, efficient service
• Importance of clear communication about services
• Positive experiences with attentive staff

These insights can help you differentiate your salon. For example, if reviews consistently mention long wait times at competitors, you might emphasize appointment efficiency in your marketing.

FAQ

What's the average rent for a hair salon space in Minneapolis?

Based on Locavisor data, the rent band for hair salon spaces in top Minneapolis neighborhoods ranges from $13-$33/sqft/yr NNN. This range reflects differences in neighborhood desirability, space condition, and specific location within each area. Always verify current rates with local commercial real estate agents.

How important is parking for a hair salon in Minneapolis?

Parking accessibility significantly impacts a hair salon's success. Customers, especially those visiting for longer services like coloring or styling, appreciate convenient parking. Neighborhoods with good transit options (like Lake Street / Powderhorn and North Loop) can mitigate parking challenges, but dedicated parking remains valuable.

Should I open near competitors or in an underserved area?

This depends on your business strategy. Opening near established competitors (like in North Loop) means you're in a proven market with customer demand. However, you'll need a strong value proposition to attract customers away from existing salons. Underserved areas might offer less competition but require more marketing to build awareness of hair services in the neighborhood.

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Last reviewed: 2026-05-30

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, LEHD LODES, Google Places, OpenStreetMap, Locavisor neighborhood scoring.

Methodology: Locavisor scores neighborhoods across demand, competition fit, rent fit, accessibility, and customer match. Scores reflect a snapshot of recent data and should be combined with on-the-ground research before lease decisions.

Disclaimer: This article provides informational content only and does not constitute legal, financial, accounting, or real-estate advice. Verify lease terms, licensing, local regulations, costs, and professional requirements with qualified local professionals before making business decisions.