A.H Salon Surry Hills: A New Chapter in Luxury Haircare

Neighbourhood Media talks to CJ Morello, owner of A.H Salon in Newtown and Rozelle, on his company’s expansion from two to three locations, and the importance of community.

What inspired the decision to rebrand Edwards & Co Crown Street to A.H Salon Surry Hills, and what does this change mean for the salon and its clients?

Before acquiring Edwards & Co Crown Street, we already had two beautiful salons - A.H Salon Newtown and A.H Salon Rozelle. While we admired the Edwards & Co brand, we felt it was the right time to unify all three locations under the A.H Salon name, which has a stellar reputation in the industry. 

Our team is a blend of youth and experience, including award-winning and globally recognized stylists. The existing Crown Street team is phenomenal, and since taking over in October, we’ve seen firsthand their passion and talent. They’re excited about the name change, and from what we’ve heard, our clients are too!

A.H Salon has grown significantly over the past seven years. What do you think has been the key to that success, and how does the Surry Hills location fit into this vision?

Seven years ago, we started with a team of seven in one location. Today, we have a team of 60 across three stunning salons. Our success stems from several factors, including an unwavering focus on customer service and our commitment to recruiting stylists who understand our clients' unique hair needs. 

Each A.H Salon has its own personality and vibe, tailored to the local culture of its suburb. Our salons are run by locals for locals, and our dedicated teams - from managers to apprentices - are the heart of our success. They genuinely care about our clients, and it's inspiring to watch them work their magic every day.

You’ve built A.H Salon on a culture-first approach. Can you share what that means in practice and how it shapes the experience for both clients and staff?

Too often, businesses focus solely on profitability. While that’s important, our priority is creating a fun, welcoming environment where guests can relax. We want clients to feel good inside while enjoying a laugh with their stylist over a glass of wine or champagne and then leave feeling beautiful on the outside. 

That energy is tangible in every A.H Salon. It’s not just about the high ceilings, polished concrete floors, or natural light - it’s about a team that loves what they do, and enjoys doing it.

The salon is getting a light refresh as part of the rebrand. What can clients expect from the new look and feel of A.H Salon Surry Hills?

We’re making some changes, but we can’t reveal all our secrets just yet! What we can say is that for the first month of the name change, every guest with an appointment will receive a "Welcome to A.H" gift pack worth around $100. 

Our guests have been incredibly loyal and supportive since we took over in October, and we want to show our appreciation while also welcoming new clients.

You’ve mentioned that all the things clients love about the salon will stay the same. Are there any exciting additions or updates they can look forward to?

Absolutely! We recently transitioned the team to using Redken colour, which is our go-to across all A.H Salons. It’s a premium brand that delivers the warmth, depth, and vibrancy our clients love. 

We’ve also maintained most of the luxury haircare brands on our shelves and added Kérastase to our lineup. Healthy hair starts in the salon but continues at home, and both Redken and Kérastase help ensure our clients' hair stays in top condition between visits.

A.H Salon is known for its commitment to community initiatives, like the Come Together charity event and the Giant Steps Cutting Program. Why is giving back such an important part of the brand?

At A.H Salon, we are all about togetherness, inclusiveness, and community - not just in our salons, but beyond them as well. Our partnership with Giant Steps, an autism-specific organization, allows us to support young people and their families navigating the challenges of autism. 

This relationship inspired our inaugural Come Together charity event, a two-day education experience where top industry leaders teach fellow hairdressers, with 100% of proceeds going to Giant Steps.

Additionally, our Giant Steps Cutting Program brings A.H stylists to Giant Steps to provide positive haircutting experiences for children who have found traditional salon visits traumatic. 

Last year, we delivered over 175 complimentary haircuts, creating a foundation for future inclusivity. Of all the incredible things A.H Salon has achieved; this is what I’m most proud of.

Looking ahead, what’s next for A.H Salon? Do you have any future plans or expansions in mind?

Right now, our focus is on continuing the success of our three existing salons and the launch of A.H Salon Surry Hills. Our spaces are large - Rozelle has 10 stations, Newtown has 16, and Surry Hills boasts 22 stations, plus two colour tables seating an additional 20 guests over a massive 430sqm space. With up to 2,000 guests visiting us each month, our priority is delivering a unique, personalized experience for each of them.

We do have clients who travel from all over Sydney and frequently tell us we need more A.H Salons — so who knows what the future holds!