The Colonnade Shopping Center at the intersection of Woodlands Parkway and FM 2978 hosts various businesses, ranging from Blue Mug Cafe and Dark Side of the Spoon to School of Rock and LHPAC Dance Academy.







J. Thompson Salons Jennifer and Brett Thompson own and operate J. Thompson Salons of The Woodlands.[/caption]

Spotlight - J. Thompson Salons


J. Thompson Salons was founded on a dedicated commitment to launching successful careers in the beauty industry. Since 2011, owners Jennifer and Brett Thompson have brought this ideology to their location in The Woodlands.


“I learned that if I was going to make this happen, it didn’t happen overnight and it was going to be something I was going to have to work really hard at,” Jennifer said.


The salon employs 12 stylists and features 16 styling stations as well as a hair-washing room designed for maximum relaxation.


“Jennifer wanted to create a pathway to make it a little easier for hairdressers to not have to work quite as hard as she did so we could grow them into successful hair dressers,” Brett said.


Jennifer said J. Thompson hairdressers are trained to encourage their clients to be open and honest about how satisfied they are with the outcome of their new hairstyle.


“We teach the [stylists]: Don’t be attached to the emotion from the client,” she said. “The client just wants a good service. So many people won’t complain because [they] don’t want to hurt the stylist’s feelings.”


The owners and hairdressers take cutting, styling and coloring hair to another level by making teamwork and customer service a top priority.


“We guarantee services,” Brett said. “Not a lot of salons do that. If a client’s not happy with what they’re getting, then we’re not charging them for it.”


Ste. 500, The Woodlands
832-585-0444, www.jthompsonsalons.com
Hours: Tue.-Thu. 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-6 p.m.







Miller’s Black Belt Academy Instructor Stephen Zarruk does a blocking pose at Miller’s Black Belt Academy.[/caption]

Spotlight - Miller’s Black Belt Academy


When master John Miller retired in late 2009, his student, Sharon Zarruk, was happy to keep Miller’s Black Belt Academy open.


Hosting classes for students ages 3 and older, Miller’s is a family- oriented martial arts center. They offer separate classes for children and adults, including self-defense classes.


“We’re family-owned,” Sharon said. “We like to be able to say that we know all our families and kids.”


Martial arts has always been a family affair for the Zarruks. Sharon’s husband practiced martial arts before they met, and their sons, Chris and Stephen, ended up taking an interest as well.


“We were [basically] living at the karate school anyway, so that’s when I decided to try it,” Sharon said. “I fell in love with it, and now we run a school together.”


Sharon and Chris are both fourth-degree black belts and are certified masters. They also take lessons from Master Miller occasionally to keep their skills sharp.


“We say martial arts is about respect,” Sharon said. “That’s our thing—to treat each other with respect all the time. But, we still have fun.”


This spring, Miller’s Black Belt Academy will begin offering mixed martial arts classes, and the academy will participate in its first competition in April.


Ste. 380, The Woodlands
281-292-7177, www.mastermiller.com/SocialSite/the-woodlands-martial-arts
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-noon






Additional business in the Collonade Shopping Center:


Arts & athletic training


LHPAC Dance Company
Ste. 180, The Woodlands
281-419-1465
www.lhpac.com


Maximum Athletic Center-Gymnastics
Ste. 200, The Woodlands
281-419-3547
www.maximumwoodlands.net


School of Rock
Ste. 440, The Woodlands
832-585-0442
http://locations.schoolofrock.com/thewoodlands


Health care


Bear Branch Family Dentistry
Ste. 350, The Woodlands
281-419-2327
www.bearbranchdental.com


Restaurants


Blue Mug Cafe
Ste. 400, The Woodlands
281-292-2583
www.bluemugcafe.com


Dark Side of the Spoon
Ste. 430, The Woodlands
281-465-9166
www.dsots.com


Hummingbird Tearoom and Bakery
Ste. 130, The Woodlands
281-419-8362
www.hummingbirdtearoom.com


Sapporo Japanese Bistro Sushi & Bar
Ste. 300, The Woodlands
281-789-4445
www.sapporohouston.com


Services


Bear Branch Animal Hospital
Ste. 100, The Woodlands
281-292-5000
bearbranchanimalhospital.com


The Wall Event Hall
Ste. 480, The Woodlands
281-465-9166
www.thewalleventhall.com