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.
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.
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
