CLAREMONT, N.H. – In addition to haircuts, coloring, treatments, hair extensions, lash extensions, full-body waxing, spa manicures and pedicures, and ear piercing, Jacques Locks has expanded the business with a newly constructed halotherapy treatment room.
In June of 2001, Andrea Jacques completed her training at New England School of Hair Design in West Lebanon, N.H. She then began her career as a stylist at Mr. T’s, working for Gary Trottier. Jacques spent the next 20 years working with Trottier before he decided to retire and offered to sell her the building in March of 2021.
Jacques said, “It’s funny, because this year is actually my 25th year behind the chair working right here, and my fifth-year anniversary of buying the business and going off on my own.”
Trottier had been an influential mentor throughout Jacques’ career. He was not only her longtime employer, but also the former owner of the school where she received her training.
Just prior to purchasing the building, Jacques recalled that a pedicure hose blew, flooding the building and requiring extensive repairs. The timing gave her an unexpected opportunity to help shape the space. During the renovation, she was given the choice of flooring and paint colors before the purchase was complete, allowing her to begin to make changes to the decor.
“I changed it up a little bit. I like antiques…and slowly have been changing some of the furniture to make it a little more comfortable and homey, just to give it a little more comfortable feel,” Jacques said.
Jacques renamed the salon Jacques Locks Salon & Spa. For the past five years, she has been the primary stylist, offering a mix of salon and spa treatments. As of January, Kaylee Clough has joined her team.
Halotherapy, also known as salt therapy, involves spending time in an environment where microscopic salt particles are dispersed into the air. Salt rooms are designed specifically for this type of experience.
For Jacques, this addition represents another step in the evolution of the business, one that moves beyond traditional salon services and into relaxation and wellness. “It’s just a really relaxing room that you go in and sit and escape,” Jacques explained. She added, “It has Himalayan salt walls with backlighting, three inches of loose salt on the floor, and you can sit in the antigravity chair, or you can lay on a yoga mat and stretch out and relax.” In the winter, the heated floor adds another element to the experience. “[In] the wintertime, I have heat on the floor, and I crank that up so the salt is toasty warm,” Jacques said.
Halotherapy sessions last 50 minutes at Jacques Locks Salon & Spa. Clients can choose to simply relax, listen to music, stretch, or participate in a guided experience. “If you’re in there and want to do some stretching, [you may choose] guided stretch and flow yoga or a guided meditation specific to that room,” Jacques said, as she described some of the options that are available. She explained that the room is meant to be a place to disconnect from technology and slow down, “no cell [phones] or computers,” Jacques said, explaining that the environment is designed to encourage people to step away from the distractions of everyday life.
Jacques described the experience as similar to the feeling of being at the ocean. “You go to the ocean, and when you’re breathing that salty air it just kind of gives you a new energy,” she said. Jacques said halotherapy is intended to provide a relaxing experience, and that she believes breathing in the fine salt particles can help with sinus issues, congestion, and the common cold.
For Jacques, the room is not only something she has added for her clients, but also a place she uses herself. “It’s just such a relaxing room to sit in – I’ll have a stressful day…and I’ll just go down to open the door, and I just want to escape in there,” Jacques said.
Halotherapy sessions are available for one person at a time. Jacques also offers package pricing, including a four-session package, and sessions do not expire. Two-person sessions are also available.
Jacques Locks Salon & Spa is located at 312 Washington Street in Claremont, N.H., and is open Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Wednesday, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Saturday, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 603-543-0336.