When Nuriel Abramov was working at a hair salon in White Plains, there was a position opening for a stylist. He interviewed Gabriel Abrams, who was hired. It wasn’t long before the two Russian émigrés realized they had the same dream — opening their own salon.
By Robin Jovanovich
When Nuriel Abramov was working at a hair salon in White Plains, there was a position opening for a stylist. He interviewed Gabriel Abrams, who was hired. It wasn’t long before the two Russian émigrés realized they had the same dream — opening their own salon.
In March of 2010, the pair opened Numi in Scarsdale. The salon earned Westchester Magazine’s Best of Westchester designation the same year.
“We started with five chairs, then quickly had to add two,” said Abramov. Plan B was to expand in Scarsdale, but one of their clients suggested they look in Rye first.
They fell in love with the town, and when they learned that the Japanese salon at 99 Purchase Street was available, they moved quickly. They transformed the old and deteriorating interior with help from local architect Clark Neuringer and Franklin Renovation.
The building, formerly owned by Metro-North, had undergone two additions and needed a serious makeover. After months of renovation, the ground floor, where Numi opened this week, has taken on a whole new fresh and sophisticated look.
Rye may not have needed another hair salon as much as a hardware store or supermarket (two businesses at the top of the community wish list), but Numi is no ordinary suburban salon.
As Abrams explained, “We offer high-end, customized service, which begins with a consultation. Hair should be slightly modified with the season — not the same bob. Most hairdressers ask how much you want to cut. Our goal is to make sure the cut fits you like a glove.
His partner added, “We want to make sure the haircut and color work for you and your manageability. Hair should ‘talk’ more and suit the individual. The color should be so natural that it still looks great six months later.” Numi stylists will train clients to style their own hair, too.
Walk by the salon at night and it glows — from the white leather chairs to the tiled walls. For openers there are 12 stations and a color lab. They sell Oribe products, “the caviar of American lines”.
In addition to a love of high style — and a predisposition for caviar, Abramov and Abrams both live in Queens and came to the United States at about the same age. Abramov, who hails from a family of hairdressers, arrived when he was 10; Abrams, whose dream was to be an architect, came when he was 8.
Numi is open Tuesday through Saturday, and late on Thursday. Call 921-NUMI or just walk over and have a look for yourself.
