Salon Unhwa helps clients feel more beautiful one strand at a time

For 17 years, hairstylist Unhwa Ruckel has helped clients feel confident about their hair. When Ruckel and her husband relocated to Charleston in 2003, the entrepreneur felt Daniel Island was the perfect place to open her business – Salon Unhwa.

 

“I knew I wanted to have my own salon somewhere and it brought me to Daniel Island,” she said. “At the time it was a small up-and-coming area and all of my clients were located in Daniel Island.”

 

Conveniently located at 245 Seven Farms Drive #150, Ruckel’s salon provides cutting-edge styling skills that have created a fiercely loyal clientele.

 

Becky King moved to Daniel Island in 2002 and has been a client of Ruckel’s for approximately 15 years. “Unhwa is so knowledgeable about hair color and hair styles,” King said. “She always listens and advises me, so that I always leave feeling like my hair looks great. We are so lucky to have Salon Unhwa on Daniel Island. It’s nice to be able to get these high-quality services right here, close to home.” 

 

She added, “I feel very safe getting my hair done with Unhwa during COVID-19. She has a very strict mask policy, which I appreciate.”

 

COVID-19 adversely impacted Ruckel and her team of stylists, but with strict protocols in place the salon was able to open after pandemic restrictions were lifted.

 

“It’s definitely affected the salon being closed for two months,” Ruckel said. “After we reopened we had to adjust the space with my staff. Our salon is still not 100% back to normal. The staff must clean their areas, completely wipe down after each client, and both clients and staff must wear a mask.”

 

Due to the added costs of meeting the extensive COVID-19 restrictions, the escalating commercial real estate prices are a major concern for Ruckel. “It’s getting too high for a small business like myself to rent or buy. I’ve been here over 17 years. I love having my salon on Daniel Island and hope to continue having it here in the future.” 

 

Beth Quantz appreciates the personalized service she receives from Ruckel. “I have been a client of Unhwa’s for seven years, she is a very special woman. She is always very concerned how I feel about myself and how she can make me feel better ... Unhwa is a very positive and joyful person. Since her reopening she has made me feel very safe within her studio with what she does to keep everyone and everything safe.”

 

Daniel Island resident Ruth Ennis has been a loyal client of Unhwa’s for more than 15 years.

 

“Unhwa and her staff are all very talented. Unhwa has many clients that have been coming to her for many years, which is a testament to what good care she takes of her clients’ hair and the clients themselves,” Ennis said.

 

To learn more, check out Salon Unhwa’s Facebook page.

 

If there are any local merchants you’d like to see featured in an upcoming column, email marie@thedanielislandnews.com.