New Business Owner Wants to "Funk-ify" West End

Although it opened its doors just over two months ago, in the West End is already embedded in the community, offering and hosting events and gatherings that stretch beyond hair and skin care.

In addition to the usual hair cut and color services, this funky and retro salon and boutique serves as a destination for workshops and events ranging from how to repurpose furniture to therapeutic body massage to food and wine parties.

"Some of the other business owners and I joke about how we are trying to 'funk-ify' the West End," Pin Up owner Becky de la Rosa said.

The salon's waiting area is furnished with 1960s couches and chairs, one with the metal cigarette ash tray still in the arm rest. De la Rosa transformed over 50 discarded records from the Petaluma dump into a pink and purple hanging screen that dangles from the ceiling.

"When people walk in here, they say that it's like a store they would see in San Francisco," she said.

And de la Rosa keeps it as local.

"Around 80 percent of everything in the store is repurposed," she said. "And if it's not, then its from San Rafael and Bay Area businesses."

The boutique offers a variety of products, from baby clothes to hand made jewelry and purses, and displays succulent gardens, crafted by de la Rosa. The average price for an item is between $15 and $20. Customers can also pick up information about the dangers of exposure to unregulated chemicals found in many skin and hair care products--a topic which de la Rosa tries to spread awareness.

"People use these products every day and they never know what's in them," she said.

A San Rafael resident for the past seven years, de la Rosa spent a decade as an human resources director before becoming a hair dresser. After working in other Bay Area salons, she decided to open her own place.

Then, she found the 1560 Fourth St. location, vacated by Marin Bagel Company. The space might seem familiar to many due to its appearance in the 1973 George Lucas classic American Graffiti as the cadillac dealership. De la Rosa knew it would be a good fit.

"It was impossible to get funding," she said.

Now, two months after opening, de la Rosa is filling up the calendar with events and workshops for the trendy salon. Future events include a vintage fashion show, a mystery writers' book reading and live music parties. To see updated events, visit Pin Up's Facebook page.

De la Rosa's business is also a place for empowerment. Currently, she is working with local organizations, including the nonprofit , to provide free makeovers for those who've suffered domestic abuse. She also provides three haircuts for anyone experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy.

"The cause is so important, I won't accept tips for the service," she said.

At Pin Up, the most important thing is to be lively and have fun.

"It's very whimsical in here," de la Rosa said. "I've had a lot of customers tell me they were having a bad day until they came in for a hair cut."

To schedule a hair appointment, call (415) 258-1644 or visit their website.