Adrian Morris goes green

By Nancy White / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / Wicked Local Cohasset

Sat Aug 02, 2008, 08:47 AM EDT

That simple motto has guided the Adrian Morris Salon to a goal that will come to fruition in the coming week. The same people who have gained a loyal following at the village salon will open the doors to a new, environmentally conscious salon under the name Lemon Lime.

Located in the King Jewelers building on Route 3A, Lemon Lime is the result of many years of dreaming and two years of hard work by owner Adrian Morris and his entire staff.

From the get-go, Adrian knew he wanted to build a salon that incorporated an environmental awareness in nearly every part of its operation.

“We want to be a happy, fruitful, giving organization,” Adrian said of his new venture while standing amid the noise of construction in his nearly complete salon on a recent morning. “It’s all a bit overwhelming and exciting.”

The “green” aspects of Lemon Lime are complemented by a naturally inspired color scheme. Lime green styling chairs, green vine wallpaper and a rich reddish brown tiled floor stands out against the contemporary, yet inviting space. Natural wood desks and furniture and unadorned mirrors complete the sleek space.

“Every single product used is the most environmentally conscious product that could be used,” said Adrian.

The furniture is constructed of recycled materials. The lighting will all be energy efficient LED lights. The hairdryers and other styling essentials will be hanging from the ceiling to reduce the amount of furniture needed. A special chemical holding tank has been installed for the rinsing of all chemical treatments like hair color and texturizers (perm and straightening treatments) will be kept separately from regular wastewater.

The environmentally friendly infrastructure will be complemented by a culture of conservation, Adrian explained. The staff, 18 in all, is trained to be careful about not leaving the water running when washing their hands or leaving the hair dryer on for longer than need be.

“People will support a culture they helped create, conservation just become part of your life,” said Adrian. In the salon when co-workers see another committing “an environmental act of kindness,” they say, “we follow the fruit.”

The new name, Lemon Lime, is more reflective of what Adrian sees as the vision for the salon. Over the seven and a half years he has been in Cohasset Village, he says the success of the salon was due to a team effort by all his stylists and staff. By shedding his name, he recognizes how it has taken a team to build success. While the name itself evokes the cheery colors of bright yellow and lime green while harkening to the natural fruits of the environment.

Although the cost of build-out is nearly double what a standard salon would cost, Adrian firmly believes it was the right way to go.

“The return in being able to give back to the community and the environment is quadruple,” said Adrian. “It is a huge investment, but not doing it would be a huge travesty to the environment itself…If change has to happen, why not at a local salon? We want to help keep the environment in our corner of the world as clean and safe as possible.”

Adrian has a plan to make the Cohasset Lemon Lime the first of five Aveda “lifestyle salons” in the local area. Lemon Lime is co-branded with Aveda, an international hair company whose mission aligns with Adrian’s environmentally conscious attitude. Lemon Lime will be one of the company’s 350 flagship lifestyle salons in the country.

“Our mission and Aveda’s mission is operate sustainably, give back to the environment and the local community,” Adrian said, making the partnership a fateful one. For the past few years he and Theresa Breen, director of operations, traveled to other successful Aveda salons before putting together the Lemon Lime business plan.

Despite the change in location, Adrian said the quality of service would remain the same, if not better. Lemon Lime will be open seven days a week for convenience. The color mixing station is set behind the styling chairs and clients can watch the color mixing process. Guest services will still greet clients with their favorite beverage, just the way they like it, and complimentary stress relieving rituals will still be performed with every shampoo. The complete line of Aveda products will be available in the front of the store.

Many of his clients have been coming to him since he opened seven years ago and plan to move with him to Lemon Lime.

“He is a great talent when it comes to hair, but his philanthropy stands out to me. He wants to give back to his clientele, the community and the environment. He is very much aware how he can make a difference,” says long-time customer and Cohasset resident Mimi Maich. Adding, “he has a good heart.”

Over his seven-year presence in Cohasset, Adrian Morris Salon has given over $400,000 to local community groups through gift certificates, products and funds. “We’ve strictly focused on Cohasset,” says Adrian.

The salon has also supported Learn, Live, and Love Cancer Outreach Organization, a local group dedicated to providing financial assistance to women and family on the South Shore who have been touched by cancer. Since its inception in 2005, Adrian Morris Salon has helped raise over $300,000 for the cause.

His heart and passion for everything he does is evident. Long-time client and friend Julie Maguire of Hingham said his generous spirit and emphasis on women’s cause and local groups sticks out in her mind.

Despite Adrian’s excitement over the new space and new era for his business, he is going to miss the village.

“I have an amazing connection with the village. I’ll always love it, there’s nothing like it. We wouldn’t be able to be here if we weren’t there,” says Adrian.

Although not able to stay in the village, he was happy to find an opportunity to grow the business while remaining close to his roots in 02025.

“I love that (in Cohasset) everyone knows each other by first name and phone numbers can be given out by the last four digits. Where else can you do that?” says Adrian. “I finally understand the saying, becoming a staple in the community,” Adrian noted to his ‘”lifesaver,” Breen. “And there’s no better community to be in.”