Another new neighbor is opening by the Topgolf going in at 29th and Greenwich

Kristin Kienzle has been a hair stylist for more than three decades, but she has a new game plan. She doesn’t want her customers to panic, though.

Kienzle, 50, plans to keep doing hair for at least a decade. But she’s going to open a salon suites business that she said will sustain her long beyond when she stops taking clients.

“I see this as a way to eventually come out from behind the chair and have a business that can sustain itself without me physically doing hair,” Kienzle said. “I can’t do this forever.”

Also, Kienzle said that “there is a lot of demand.”

“I wanted something that was my vision and also a place where I can mentor other beauty professionals.”

Kienzle is opening Utopia Modern Salon Suites at 11124 E. 28th St. just south of 29th and Greenwich where the new Topgolf will open.

There will be a dozen private suites of about 100 square feet each.

“Any kind of beauty business can go within these suites,” Kienzle said.

There will be some common areas, such as a waiting room, bathrooms, a back room for professionals to use and an area with a washer and dryer.

“It’s kind of no fail,” Kienzle said.

Early in the pandemic, she said she saw “how desperately we were missed and needed.”

“Technology will never take away our jobs. There’s always a demand.”

Kienzle has started talking to potential renters.

“I don’t have anything to show anybody expect a promise and a great location.”

She said her real estate broker, Tim Kerr of ReeceNichols South Central Kansas, and banker, Chris Hemphill of Simmons Bank, have provided a lot of guidance on opening the business.

“Those two have definitely been very helpful.”

Kerr’s son, Ryan, also with ReeceNichols, is helping as well.

Kienzle said she envisions potentially having more suites elsewhere and has had potential investors already express interest.

“That excites me to think about that.”

Before that, though, she said she needs to get the first Utopia opened no later than June “and find out what we’re in for.”