Indie Creative Rooms to Bring First Salon Suite Concept to St. Joseph
Indie Creative Rooms to Bring First Salon Suite Concept to St. Joseph this Summer
A new beauty and wellness destination is coming to St. Joseph this summer, bringing a fresh take on self-care services to Southwest Michigan.
Indie Creative Rooms, founded by local salon owner Mandy McDonald, will open in summer 2026 at 3102 Niles Rd. Located in the former home of John M. Kim DMD Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the new space sits next door to McDonald’s established salon, M Squared Modern Hair, which she has owned and operated in the community for more than a decade.
Unlike traditional open-concept salons, Indie Creative Rooms will give clients a quieter, more private experience. Independent beauty and wellness professionals such as hair stylists, estheticians and massage therapists will each have their own studio, creating a more personalized setting for each appointment.
Beyond creating a new beauty and self-care destination, it is the first boutique salon suite concept of its kind in Southwest Michigan, designed to help independent creatives build their own businesses. McDonald is currently seeking beauty and wellness professionals interested in renting a studio inside Indie Creative Rooms.
Each room will be private, lockable, and customizable, allowing renters to design their space with their own equipment, furniture, and décor while operating their business independently. The building will also include a secure entry system with a door buzzer for guests arriving for appointments. Professionals will have the flexibility to set their own schedules, pricing, and services to fit their business vision.
“It’s not a new concept, but it’s new to our area. Instead of a traditional salon home, think of this concept as a salon condo,” said Mandy McDonald, founder of Indie Creative Rooms. “You can have your own business without the stress of managing a building. Indie Creative Rooms takes care of things like maintenance, utilities, Wi-Fi and the parking lot so you can focus on what you love and build your business.”
McDonald said the idea grew out of her own experience in the beauty industry and a desire to create opportunities for others. After eleven years of operating a commission-based salon, she noticed many professionals in the area wanted more independence than a traditional salon structure offered.
“When I was first starting out, I was given the opportunity to rent a chair at Allure Hair Design by owner Wilma Scharnowske,” McDonald said. “That opportunity allowed me to work while building the vision that eventually became M Squared Modern Hair. I’ve always been grateful for that stepping stone.”
Now she hopes Indie Creative Rooms can provide a similar opportunity for other professionals.
“I love the idea of giving beauty and wellness professionals in the area the chance to build something that’s truly their own,” McDonald said. “Helping creatives learn and grow to the next level has always been something I’ve loved about this industry. For those who have built a loyal client base and are ready to take the next step, Indie Creative Rooms offers a unique opportunity in this area to run your business your way.”
Indie Creative Rooms plans to open in summer 2026. Professionals interested in renting a room can schedule a tour of the space and learn more about the concept by calling Mandy McDonald at 269-921-3732 or emailing mandy@msquaredmodernhair.com. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing professionals to choose and design the space that fits their business. McDonald is offering a special founder’s rate for renters who sign before May 31.
Founded in 2026, Indie Creative Rooms is the first boutique salon of its kind in St. Joseph, Michigan, where independent professionals operate their own businesses within a shared space. The concept brings services such as hair styling, massage therapy, and other beauty and wellness offerings together in private studio rooms, creating a more personal alternative to traditional salon environments. Indie Creative Rooms supports beauty and wellness professionals who want the freedom to run their own business while providing guests with a variety of high-quality self-care services in one convenient location.
