When Chris Wilder, owner of the recently opened KRS Hair Sudio, began buying equipment for his future salon he had no real idea where or when the salon would happen. Much like in Field of Dreams he figured, “If I buy the equipment, it will come.” A little over two years later, with a bit of “divine intervention,” according to Chris, his family of four was able to reclaim their home as the overflowing rooms emptied into the beautiful new space in Riverwest that now houses the business.

Chris had looked for a likely business location all over Milwaukee, Shorewood and Whitefish Bay without luck until he landed upon the spot on the corner of Bremen and Locust. “It was heaven-sent,” he says. The building owner was looking for an occupant who planned to open a salon or café. Thus KRS (named after his wife, Kimberly, and his two daughters’ middle names, McKlayne Rai, and Kiersten Simone) Salon was born.

The lead stylist in the salon, Chris has 14 years of experience, took his training at Erik of Norway, and brought a large client base with him. There’s a second stylist, Shaunte Riser, on premise on Fridays and Saturdays. The salon is actively seeking four more stylists to fill out their staff.

Andwanita Holloway is their nail technician, while Chris’s wife Kimberly is resident esthetician. Presently she performs half- or full-hour facials, does makeup and waxing, and hopes to gear up in the future to provide body wraps. (Check out the Mother’s Day Special which includes a half-hour facial, manicure and pedicure for around $100.)

Kimberly learned her skills at the Aveda Institute. She came to this new career after ten years in human resources. Kimberly is thrilled to join her husband in an industry they both love because its purpose is to make people feel good, and, as a result, “we can go home feeling good at the end of the day,” she says. They enjoy the intimacy of their work in a world where distance is the norm while “we,” says Chris, “have the license to touch.”

Stop in to the warm, earthy, bright atmosphere of KRS Hair Studio for an appointment, a walk-in appoint, to shop, or just to visit. The salon carries two lines of beauty products: Paul Mitchell and the completely natural, New York-based Carol’s Daughter. These are available to walk-in customers as well as clients.

The Wilders are ecstatic about their choice of location. They find the Riverwest community to be “warm, supportive, and embracing.” They’ve been delighted by all the passers-by and “dog walkers” who’ve stopped in to give them a thumb’s up. “In 35 years, I’ve never seen anything like this,” marvels Chris.

Keep up the good work, Riverwesters! And when you want a little pampering or just a great cut at moderate prices in a warm and comfortable environment, head over to KRS Hair Studio.

KRS Hair Salon
832 E. Locust Street
(Corner of Locust & Bremen)
414-265-7919
TUE - FRI 10:30 am - 8 pm
SAT 9 am - 7 pm