March: Philip Johnson Salon/Spa

Euclid Avenue is a mixed-use district that is extremely walkable and offers a unique range of amenities and attractions! Global cuisine, retail spaces, coffee houses, gyms and a diverse range of residential opportunities - Euclid has it all! For the month of February, we decided to sit down and chat with Phil Shipman and Josh Beatty, the former and current owner of Philip Johnson Salon and Spa.

About the Owners

Phil Shipman and his business partner, Bonita Johnson opened the doors to Philip Johnson Salon on February 3, 1992. Phil had previously trained in London, Amsterdam and many educational institutions in the United States prior to opening the salon. Phil also served as the Educational Director for the Missouri Cosmetology Association. Now, Phil focuses his time on training and educating the service providers at Philip Johnson on how to grow their skills and careers while also working behind the chair taking care of his many loyal clients where he will remain until March 31st.

Josh Beatty took over as owner of Philip Johnson in July 2021. Josh had previously worked for a nationally recognized salon in Dayton, Ohio, and joined the team at Philip Johnson in December 2007. Josh initially began working part-time as Guest Services Coordinator and became full-time before leaving briefly to pursue opportunities at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Once Josh came back, he became the full-time manager of the business and oversaw tremendous growth and helped foster an inclusive culture that other salons only dream of. Josh puts an emphasis on the client experience, which, if you look online, you will see reflected in their overwhelmingly positive reviews. Another emphasis for Josh is employee engagement. For him, creating a work environment that is prosperous, fun, and upbeat not only makes his job easier, but that environment trickles down to the clients as well.

About the Business

Philip Johnson is currently one of the oldest businesses in the Central West End and the only business in the neighborhood to offer Aveda products and services. When the salon first opened

their doors, they were one of the only salons in the area to serve a multi-ethnic client base.

The goal, both then and now, was to create an inviting and relaxing atmosphere where everyone could relax and get pampered. The salon experienced tremendous growth early on and they doubled the size of their space in 1996 to include spa services and become a full-service salon and spa for men and women. Another expansion happened in 2007 and since then, has grown to become one of the top salons not only in St. Louis but in the country. The talented staff and their desire to create a culture within the business where everyone feels welcome and taken care of has always been their number one priority. By focusing on the needs of their guests, they have created a loyal customer base and earned the praise of industry leaders like Salon Today Magazine, who has awarded Philip Johnson the honor of being a top 200 salon in the country for the last seven years.

Community Impact

Philip Johnson has been a staple in the Central West End for over 30 years and “giving back to the community” is part of their mission statement. Over the years, they have hosted numerous charity events that give back to local businesses in the district and even hosted an annual Earth Month event that donated proceeds to help protect clean water in Missouri. They host an annual Food Drive in the fall that benefits the Trinity Food Pantry in the Central West End and an annual Toy Drive during the holiday season where they partnered most recently with Children’s Hospital at Barnes Jewish to benefit local children in need. They plan to continue being a staple in the Central West End and continue giving back to the community that they cherish so much.

For more information on the Philip Johnson Salon and Spa, you can visit their website, Facebook page, Instagram, or call them at (314) 361-8003 to schedule an appointment.