Portland Ave Hair & Beauty Supply

I constantly drive by this store and never see much business so I decided to stop here on the way home as a last minute option & to support my fellow local black+african businesses. I see exactly why they don’t get much business. This store is Extremely overpriced yet there aren’t many options so you are only stuck with the expensive over-priced items. They recommended me a $15 PLUS tax braiding jam as an alternative to the typical $5-6 Jam (they don’t sell). That’s like highway robbery. This business will not see 5-10 years from now if they keep this route going. Respectfully. Note- You have to buzz the front door to be let in. & it’s extremely awkward to be the only person shopping.

Store is somewhat small and may not have an extensive selection of products as compared to larger counterparts. However, owner is friendly, personable and willing to assist with questions and locating what you need. Note that hair braiding services are also offered- a client was getting braided during my visit.

I have been getting my locs done here since last year, and I am so happy I found her. I could not find someone prior that really did my locs the way that I like them. Always neat and she is so sweet and we always have great conversations.

If you are looking for a wig, do not go to this location. I make this post simply because I drove 30 min to visit this business. It appeared to be a black owned shop, so I really wanted to go ahead and make a purchase anyways to support it. However, there were only 10 or so wigs to choose from. It did seem to have an array of hair care products and braiding hair, though. If I'm ever in the market for either of these two things...and in the area, I might return.

Besides the small and very hazardous parking situation for this mini shopping center, I was disappointed in the store. Not very many products from the more in-demand natural hair care lines; lots of unknowns. Small aisles, crowded placement of products that were organized by what they do vs. brand (I.e. Conditioners separated from shampoos and separated from leave in hair treatments like curl creme), and a few kids under five years old were running all about the store. No help offered until I came up to the front to pay. Would not likely go again. 07/2021 Edit: Just now seeing the business's reply from original post 4m 3 yrs ago. To clarify: I came in looking for several lines of product I wanted to try and was recommended for natural hair care, not just "rubber bands". I was wandering around for at least 15 minutes, re-checking places multiple times to see if I simply missed anything. The worker never asked if she could help though she had line of sight for me the whole time, and never seemed to leave the front of store. I finally went to counter and asked for help in finding some of those brands as the layout of products, even if separated differently, was still confusing. I was just 'told' to go look again for one product (which for third time, I did, to no avail) and that they didn't have others. No suggestions, just no. By her response, I'm guessing this is her norm for customer service (i.e. very poor), at least as of my one and only visit.