Arbor Hair Studio acquiring Hautigo Spa in Waite Park

Feb 19, 2025

Waite Park's Arbor Hair Studio has acquired nearby Hautigo Spa, bringing the businesses' hair and skincare services under one roof later this year.

Arbor announced the acquisition Feb. 3. Hautigo Spa will take over the salon's former wedding lounge space, with a goal of reopening in Arbor around April, Arbor co-owner Michelle Meier said.

Arbor decided to revamp its wedding lounge after struggling to book events during the pandemic and seeing wedding venues open their own similar spaces, Meier, who owns the salon with her husband Dustin Meier, said. She had also wanted to incorporate skincare into the salon, and the two companies shared similar values regarding self-care.

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"I've always dreamt of having skincare ... and with Arbor's vision and mission on finding the root cause of issues, whether it's hair-related or now skin-related, finding products that align with health and holistic care is our main vision," she said.

Currently, Arbor offers services like haircuts, brow waxing and spray tans, as well as shampoos, hair brushes and hair sprays that can be purchased in the store. Hautigo Spa focuses on skin care, with services including facials, dermaplaning − gently removing the uppermost layers of the skin − and micro needling.

Hautigo will transfer its services into the new space, Meier said, and the team is also exploring adding a Japanese head spa treatment, which cleanses and massages the scalp.

Arbor is working on the acquisition with Bremer Bank, which is headquartered in St. Paul, Meier said, and with Sauk Rapids-based BCI Construction on the salon's renovation.

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Arbor currently employs about 20 people, including stylists and renters. Once the two businesses merge, five more people will join the team from Hautigo.

Meier said she is looking forward to combining the two teams and the mentorship opportunities that it will bring.

"I love the piece of mentoring with business, I love watching people succeed in their own success, in terms of succeeding in what they vision is successful for them and help them grow to get to their best potential," she said.

So far, customers have been very supportive of the acquisition, Meier said, as many of them go to both Arbor and Hautigo.

"They are so excited, they're like, 'yes, I've been waiting for this,'" she said. "We've had very, very positive feedback."

Arbor Hair Studio is located at 1309 Second St. S. in Waite Park, and Hautigo Spa will remain at its 643 Second St. S. location until a later moving date.

Teagan King covers business and development for the St. Cloud Times. She can be reached at [email protected].