Michael Richard’s Salon Has a Style All Its Own

It was not a good business climate in Attleboro a few years ago when Michael Richard’s Salon was established at 195 ½ Pine St.

But owner Michael Daley still plunged ahead and made a firm decision to grow his business to “refine the look and feel of the store” in a different, unique and stimulating way compared to every other local salon.

“I am trying to create a salon and a boutique,” says this experienced hair stylist who has so many multifaceted artistic interests and talents, himself, he wanted to help out other local artists, too.

So now everyone who steps inside his store is not there just to have their hair professionally treated by Daley. “I want them to have a different experience and not just get a haircut,” he says.

In fact, for his clients there on appointments and for others, they are treated to works of art and their work or products on sale from painters, knitters, candlemakers, metalworkers, ceramic and glass artists and others, almost entirely from Attleboro.

There is a Victorian clock, a settee, comfortable plush chairs and an uncluttered, but eclectic arrangement of colorful artistic work.

“I usually work with them on a consignment basis,” he says of artists for whom he sponsors and exhibits their work. “I allow them to hang some of their work. That creates exposure for the artists in the community.”

His philosophy of “giving his customers something that makes them want to come back” is rooted in the background of the Holden, MA native and graduate of Wachusett Regional High School.

“I went to school to become a jeweler and metalsmith,” he says. At Worcester Center for Crafts in 2002, he completed a two-year program in Metals and also received the prestigious David L. Morreale Art Award for excellence in art and design.

Afterwards, he worked in a few area salons, honing his skills in hair styling and treatment.

“I like hair to speak to me,” he says of his styling and treatment philosophy. “I treat and cut hair to keep a natural texture, feel, shape and look. And in his desire to “create a more natural appearance” he advocates the use of organic soaps, shampoos and oils.

Besides establishing a local clientele, there are some friends and clients from as far away as western Massachusetts where he grew up. Other regulars come from throughout Rhode Island.

But he has little desire to uproot himself from the area.

“I am proud to say I live and work here in Attleboro,” he says. “I am excited to be part of a community that is growing and progressing."

"I see a lot of growth happening within this city and am pleased to be a part of it," he adds. "That is why I have chose to remain living and working here."

As the business continues to grow I would like to occupy more space and some job creation will occur,” he says “Perhaps I might hire a massage therapist. I’d like to bring some other artists in, too”

All this appears to be a win-win-win situation for Michael Richard’s Salon, the artists he sponsors and the Attleboro business community.