New Braid Salon to Open in Montgomery in 2027

The 1:01 Luxury Braid Bar & Bottega will introduce a hybrid service and room-rental model to the city's salon market.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold vector editorial illustration of hair combs and wooden beads on a table, representing a new natural hair salon. — Shatavia Portis is set to open 1:01 Luxury Braid Bar & Bottega in Montgomery, expanding local natural hair service offerings in 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Shatavia Portis plans to open 1:01 Luxury Braid Bar & Bottega at 1111 N Eastern Blvd in Montgomery in January 2027. The startup will focus on natural hair braiding services.

Why it matters

The venture marks a expansion in the local personal services sector, operating as a salon that focuses on specialized natural hair braiding techniques.

The new 1:01 Luxury Braid Bar & Bottega represents a single-unit salon entry into the Montgomery market. The owner, age 25, brings over a decade of braiding experience to the shop located at 1111 N Eastern Blvd.

The players

Shatavia Portis

An entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in hair braiding who is launching her first salon location.

1:01 Luxury Braid Bar & Bottega

A startup salon in Montgomery specializing in natural hair braiding and independent contractor leasing.

The details

The salon will offer specialized services including shampooing, knotless, boho, and stitch braids. While the owner is not a cosmetologist, the business model includes plans to potentially rent rooms to licensed practitioners to manage service offerings.

1:01 Luxury Braid Bar & Bottega is scheduled to open in January 2027.

Market Landscape

This opening reflects the ongoing shift toward independent contractor models in the salon industry. The owner is positioning the business to scale by balancing internal services with space leasing for licensed professionals.

Owners in the local personal services sector should monitor how this new entrant impacts the availability of licensed braiding talent in Montgomery. Businesses considering a similar model should evaluate the regulatory requirements for leasing space to licensed contractors.

The takeaway

The salon provides an example of how service-based businesses can combine direct revenue with a rental-leasing model. Operators should assess their local zoning and licensing requirements before finalizing plans to sublease space to independent contractors.