Karen Newman
“We provide an opportunity for customers to maximize multi-tasking,” says Sandee Stall, salon manager of The Hair Garage, and Joe Day, sales manager at Relaxation Automobile Station (RAS). Located at 1702 Main Avenue in Moorhead, this unique business combines a used car dealership and bays for oil changes and auto repairs with a full-service beauty salon. Their business card reads, Sales*Service*Salon. A treadmill, massage chairs, television and beverages are provided at no cost to waiting customers in the cozy lobby area.
RAS welcomed the community at a mid-March open house, only to be shut down three days later on March 16, with Covid-19 restrictions. As an essential business, the car-related activities were permitted to continue operations. The Hair Garage remained closed until June 1 when the state permitted salons to be open by appointment. Stall explains that walk-ins cannot be accommodated immediately but individuals can still book appointments in person. Wait times for appointments are short. Customers of all ages can be accommodated in the accessible salon.
Joe Day, one of the co-owners of the business, elaborates on how this unique concept came to fruition in Moorhead. Day says that he started working in the car business after his time as a Moorhead State University student. As the years went by, he noted that many waiting rooms in car-related businesses were dreary. He also observed that women, sometimes accompanied by small children, appeared to be the individuals in charge of waiting for vehicles to be serviced in less-than-engaging, dingy surroundings. Then, he saw an article featuring car-related businesses combined with salon services which were located in Minneapolis, Arizona and Pennsylvania. Intrigued by what he read, the first RAS plans were conceived.
Joe Day owns the business with Jon Haug, Troy Derheim and a silent partner. Day serves as sales manager for the used car portion of the business and manages the day-to-day operations of Relaxation Automobile Station. Haug is responsible for the accounting and financial aspects of the RAS operation. Day continues to co-own Custom Insurance and Retirement Solutions in Fargo which works with business owners to provide employee benefits. Derheim also operates My Aquatic Services in West Fargo.
Sandee Stall answered an on-line ad on social media and was introduced to the salon/garage idea when she went for an interview. Day says that opening a hair salon was a lengthy process involving city and state permits and inspections. RAS wanted to hire someone with experience providing services on the salon floor and experience as a salon owner/operator. Stall meets their requirements.
When Stall agreed to be Hair Garage’s manager, she and Day designed the unique salon layout. Framed by a corrugated steel exterior, Day decorated the fully-accessible salon with traditional styling and a touch of automotive décor. Stall brings her 25 years of experience as an independent contractor and salon owner to The Hair Garage at RAS. She currently works Monday through Friday at the Hair Garage and at Conviction Salon and Spa in Detroit Lakes on Saturdays. Stall explains, “My specialty is color correction and doing salon services for formal occasions like weddings and proms.” A graduate of Wadena Technical College, Stall continues to enroll in continuing education classes to bring her clients the most fashionable and up-to-date salon services. A brochure for The Hair Garage lists cuts, condition treatments, color, styling and waxing options. Stall may be reached at 218-512-0306 or at www.hairgarage.salon.
While Day doesn’t do under-the-hood work himself, he explains that RAS normally employs an oil change person and two service techs. A service tech position is currently open and he invites prospective employees to call him at his office number: 218-303-5199 or his cell: 701-318-1215. The business’s website is relaxationautosales.com. He notes that RAS owns the tools required for the services offered though techs may also choose to use their own.
RAS manager Day ways that the goal of their dealership is to provide an affordable, safe used car suitable for a teen’s first vehicle or a reliable second family car. A three month limited warranty is available for used vehicles purchased there. RAS also provides fleet servicing for businesses.
