New salon creates friendly atmosphere

Karl Aaberg comes from a family of mechanics. Rather than open a car shop to join his father and brothers in the trade, Aaberg decided to open up a family hair care shop. In honor of his father, he named the place Hair Mechanix.

Hair Mechanix at 3421 East Tropicana, just behind the Burger King off Pecos, has a race car themed atmosphere. Hair technicians dress in checker flag shirts, the walls and windows are dressed in the flag design and the owners give out a variety of race inspired knickknacks ranging from checkered pens and pencils to radial tire key rings. Many items display the shop logo -- a pair of scissors stretched open with checkered flags hanging from the tips.

Karl's wife Diane Aaberg said so far, the clientele seems to love the theme. They've even had a female race car driver come in to ask for sponsorship. Diane said she thinks customers appreciate the cozy, personal feel of the shop.

"We're not la-di-da or Saks Fifth Avenue. We're down to earth and friendly," she explained.

The hair cropping couple is originally from Minnesota. They visited Las Vegas for years, dreaming of living here.

"Back there when you say you're going to Vegas people are in awe," Diane said.

In addition to locals, the shop attracts seasonal residents and tourists.

Diane said tourists and locals alike seem to love the classic Las Vegas photographs that fill the shop. Occasionally she gets a long time resident who pauses in front of a photograph and reminisces about the way things used to be.

In addition to old photos of the strip and downtown, the Aabergs have a few pieces of genuine Las Vegas history. In the back of the shop they have two mirrors purchased from the old Aladdin before the hotel was imploded. The couple has always collected Las Vegas memorabilia, just because they love the town. Now, with a shop of their own, they have a place to display their collection.

Hair Mechanix carries a large inventory of all the designer products from Matrix to Paul Mitchell, but most of the stylists use the house brand Head Tools. The Aabergs worked for years designing their own line of hair care products. The Head Tools shampoo, conditioner and "Hard Hat" hair spray have been a hit with customers. Diane said she even got a call from a cable home shopping channel representative who wanted to sell Head Tools on the air. The Aabergs just laughed.

For now Head Tools products are only available at Hair Mechanix. The salon is open seven days a week, Monday -Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made at 898-3909. For more information click on www.hairmechanix-lv.com.