Around Town

By Andra Moss

People walking along Norfolk’s Station Place are doing a particular two-step these days when they pass the doorway east of the Hub—two steps past, then two steps back, a peer in the window, then a hand on the doorknob. They have discovered Noi Salon, the new full-service hair salon opened in December by stylist Lori Hoyt.

Hoyt, a resident of Salisbury, has owned three salons on her journey to Norfolk. The first, for 15 years, was in Lakeville. With two young children, she downsized to a salon in Sharon and, kids grown, re-upsized in Salisbury.

She is now bringing her extensive experience to a new corner of Litchfield County, where, she says “The community is incredible. I can’t tell you how embraced I feel in Norfolk.”

Hoyt became more familiar with Norfolk when she worked at the space (Norfolk Hair Station) for several months when the previous owner, Vickie Thompson, needed assistance. Hoyt remembers feeling very comfortable there almost immediately. “I asked that if the lease ever became available [whether] I could get the first shot at it.”

It did and papers were signed on Sept. 16. Hoyt started working on the space the next day. “It doesn’t look remotely like it did at all,” she says, gesturing around the high-ceilinged room. “We completely gutted it. We installed a new sink, updated the electricity, repainted and added new stations, lighting and mirrors.” The redesign seemed to magically double the space. “I would call it a boutique salon,” says Hoyt, “very clean, very open.” There is even a coffee station.

Noi Salon opened the first week of December and the word is spreading.

“People have responded in such a positive way,” Hoyt enthuses. “It’s just the environment I need in order to do my best work.” Driven by her desire to “promote very healthy hair,” Hoyt has developed a loyal following that appreciates her highly personalized services.

Her clientele has followed her to Norfolk from Massachusetts, the Avon-Canton area, Salisbury and Lakeville. Then, she says, “I send everybody to the Guilded Artisan because I think it is the most adorable store. Clients go to eat at The Pub, they stop in the Berkshire Store. I’m so glad to be networking with the other businesses in town.”

Hoyt is Paul Mitchell Institute certified, with additional course work done in California and Europe. She is a color specialist. All of this means that she can offer almost every hair service for men, women and children, from highlights to retouches, bangs to beard trims. Although, she says, “My goal is to eventually open up the salon to a professional barber so I can offer full men’s services—men’s facials, men’s hair color, shaves.”

Once she has fully settled in, Hoyt says, “I want to offer extras, like an evening showing how to create a beach wave or how to do your own blow-out.” Another possible idea is a dad and daughter night, where dads learn to braid hair. “I’m still catching my breath,” she says, “but I eventually will branch out to offering fun classes for the community.”

Her generous spirit extends to those less fortunate. “I am so happy to have gotten this space and this opportunity in this town, that I wanted to give back,” she says. “I mentioned to a client that I wanted to do hair for free for women in need and she connected me with the Susan B. Anthony shelter in Torrington. I’m excited to offer what I can to help these ladies increase their confidence as they move forward.”

Noi Salon is located at 2A Station Place in downtown Norfolk and is open Wednesdays through Fridays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, although Saturdays are by appointment only. Please call 860-671-1233 for full list of services.