Blowout Spot Comes to Beach 116th

By Katie McFadden

Thinking about a new hair color for the summer? Maybe you’re going out for a night and need a quick blowout to look your best. Or maybe your kid’s graduation is coming up this week and they need a last-minute haircut, so those pictures come out perfect. Blowout Spot S.II is now on Beach 116th Street, offering all those services and more.

Some may already be familiar with Blowout Spot from their Cross Bay Blvd. location in Ozone Park. But save yourself the trip across the bridge, Blowout Spot is right here at home. And a few longtime customers are already rejoicing over their favorite hair salon being right in their backyard. “I was one of those customers who lives in Rockaway but went to Cross Bay and I’m thrilled that you are here,” a customer said while getting her hair done on Monday, June 16. “I get massages next door, so this is convenient.”

The new location closer to home is 211 Beach 116th Street, in a building that has become a hub of Asian-American services with Blowout Spot joining foot and back massage spa, Happy Feet, and Japanese restaurant E. Sushi III. Home to a former martial arts studio, the space has been renovated with a chic and modern look.

Blowout Spot S.II is owned by business partners, Jerry Chan, Jesse Zheng and Leo Lian, Chinese Americans who have been doing hair collectively for about two decades. Zheng has known Chan for more than 15 years through working together, and introduced him to Lian, who had already spent time working in Rockaway at other salons. The trio realized they mesh well and make a good team, so they decided to partner together in the latest spot. “There’s no drama between us. We’re all young and not afraid of taking chances and we’re all very into the next trend and newest styles and we wanted to bring that to the people of Rockaway,” Chan said.

Chan helped open the other Blowout Spot locations including the 15013 Cross Bay Blvd. location in 2016 and their 103-25 Metropolitan Ave. location in 2019. But he knew Rockaway had potential, with customers already traveling to come to him. “Customers already come to the other locations, but it’s hard paying the toll and having to travel, so I wanted to make it easy for everyone,” Chan said.

Blowout Spot S.II on Beach 116th Street opened its doors on Friday, June 6, and has been offering all of the same great services as the other locations. They specialize in balayage, highlights, ombré, magic sleek and keratin services, and of course, blowouts. They can also do tape in or microbead extensions, boxer braids, and haircuts, for everyone, including kids, men and women, all at affordable prices. And they take pride in their work. After finishing up a job, they sometimes take photos of the finished product and feature their work on their Instagram account: @blowoutspot_crossbay

While some customers have been regulars at their other locations, neighbors are happy to be discovering the new spot on the commercial strip. Dian Zhang moved to Beach 116th Street about three years ago. She stumbled upon Blowout Spot while walking down the block and was overjoyed to find a spot that feels like home. She got a keratin treatment done last week and was so impressed that she brought her son back on Monday for a haircut of his own ahead of his kindergarten stepping up ceremony. And with the care of Leo, her son, who usually isn’t a fan of having his haircut, handled it well. “Their new space is beautiful—bright, clean, inviting—but it’s really the people that make it special. They’re not just offering great cuts; they’re offering connection, comfort, and care,” Zhang said.

For Chan, Zheng and Lian, in addition to making customers look their best, customer service is what makes Blowout Spot a top choice for many. “It’s always crowded in our Cross Bay location. We’re busy because we do a good job. We provide a good experience, we’re training all the time to learn new things and we care about the customer,” Chan said. “We want the customers to come back, so we make sure customers are happy.” Zheng added, “We offer the same services here but we’re gonna make you feel at home, which fits right in for Rockaway. Rockaway is your home, and we want to make you feel at home here.”

To welcome customers, the guys are providing gifts and special discounts for their opening including discounts for full color, highlights, balayage, ombré, magic sleek and keratin services this month and $20 blow outs.

While business has been slow to start, as word of mouth spreads, more customers are giving Blowout Spot S.II a shot. “It’s getting better every day,” Zheng said.

Blowout Spot S.II is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. Appointments aren’t needed as walk-ins are welcome, but they advise calling ahead to see if they’re busy or for any questions: 347-619-9955.