Original African Hair Braiding

- 526 S Laramie Ave, Chicago, IL 60644

For residents in the Illinois area seeking specialized hair care services, particularly within the niche of African hair braiding, Original African Hair Braiding is located in Chicago. Situated at 526 S Laramie Ave, this establishment is clearly categorized as a hair salon with a focus on this specialized styling technique. In the professional landscape of the Illinois beauty industry, specialized shops like this cater to specific cultural and hair maintenance needs within the community.

Publicly available information indicates the shop's core business is centered on Hair Braiding. The inclusion of the business type "Hair salon" suggests it offers comprehensive services related to hair styling. Furthermore, the provided information explicitly notes that the shop is Good for kids, a key feature for Illinois families seeking appropriate and accommodating environments for their children’s hair services.

However, it is vital for any prospective customer in Illinois to conduct thorough due diligence, as the available customer reviews for this specific location express serious concerns regarding service quality, professionalism, timing, and consistency of the work performed. One detailed review reports a "terrible" experience involving significant delays, inconsistent and sloppy work performed by an unqualified individual ("a kid"), and a lack of follow-through on promised quality. The customer, who reported 20 years of experience wearing braids, noted that the resulting braids were "way too big," "not neat at all," had improper clipping, were knotted in the middle, and began falling out within two weeks. Another customer similarly complained about the shop being "extremely dirty" and the hair (crochets) not lasting even a week, with the braids being loose and leaving "many spaces." Both reviews highlight issues with staff professionalism and responsiveness to customer feedback and complaints. The business is urged by these past clients to address these reported shortcomings.

Original African Hair Braiding is located at 526 S Laramie Ave, Chicago, IL 60644, USA. This address places it within the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, an area known for its strong community connections. The location on South Laramie Avenue is generally accessible from surrounding Chicago and near-western suburbs of Illinois.

As an establishment situated on a main Chicago street, access via public transportation is typically reliable, which is a major convenience for local Illinois patrons. Customers using private vehicles should plan for city street parking, which may vary depending on the time of day. In terms of amenities for visitors, a Restroom is mentioned, though one customer review notes that during their visit the bathroom was "not working," indicating potential issues with facility maintenance.

Importantly, the shop is marked as Good for kids, which suggests an intent to welcome and accommodate younger clients for their specialized hair services, providing a resource for parents in the Illinois area. Given the service complaints, however, parents should verify current service quality before booking appointments for children.

The core service offering of Original African Hair Braiding is specialized, focusing on complex styling techniques popular in the African hair community. Based on the name and public data, their primary professional category is as follows:

Services Offered:

• Hair Braiding: The central service offering, catering to clients seeking various braided styles. The shop’s name indicates a specialty in traditional African braiding techniques.
• Crochet Styles: As mentioned in a customer review, the shop offers crochet hair services, which fall under the category of protective and extension styling.
• Children’s Services: The designation as Good for kids implies services are available and adapted for younger clients.
• Hair Salon Services (Implied): As a hair salon, the business is expected to offer basic hair prep and post-care necessary for braiding styles.

The business offers specific functional aspects that should be noted by the Illinois clientele:

Features and Highlights:

• Specialized Styling Focus: Primary focus on Hair Braiding, serving a dedicated clientele seeking these specific hair techniques.
• Family Accessibility: Officially designated as Good for kids, positioning it as a potential option for family grooming needs in Chicago.
• Community Location: Situated in a high-traffic, easily accessible area of the Austin neighborhood on South Laramie Ave.
• Basic Amenities: Confirmed presence of a Restroom for customer use.

The shop’s ability to manage its quality control and customer experience is a significant factor to consider when evaluating these features. The negative reports of cleanliness ("extremely dirty"), long waiting times ("first in the shop and the last one out"), and unsatisfactory results ("braids started coming out" in less than a week) are crucial for potential customers to weigh against the convenience of the specialized service.

For individuals in the Illinois area who wish to contact the salon to inquire about their services, availability, or to address concerns, the contact information is as follows:

Contact Information:

• Address: 526 S Laramie Ave, Chicago, IL 60644, USA
• Phone: (773) 378-0890 (Also available via Mobile Phone: +1 773-378-0890)

It is worth noting that a customer review mentioned calling back to express dissatisfaction but received "no answer and no call back," suggesting potential issues with post-service communication and customer service responsiveness.

What is worth choosing about Original African Hair Braiding, based purely on its classification, is its specialization in Hair Braiding, a unique service in the hair salon industry in Illinois. For those in the immediate vicinity of the 526 S Laramie Ave address, the proximity is a distinct convenience. Furthermore, the intent to be Good for kids addresses a necessary demand for family services.

However, an objective evaluation requires acknowledging the significant and consistent negative feedback from customers. Potential clients in Illinois must proceed with caution, prioritizing communication with the salon to confirm the current state of cleanliness, timeliness, and the experience level of the assigned stylist. The shop’s value proposition of specialized braiding is currently overshadowed by public reports of poor execution, sanitation concerns, and unsatisfactory customer service. Customers should ensure they have received confirmation of improvements in these areas before committing to a service.

Original African Hair Braiding

526 S Laramie Ave, Chicago, IL 60644, USA