In the history of powerhouse Twin City salons, the formidable teams behind them are nearly legendary: Horst and Rocco Altobelli Jon and Linda English. Rocco and Richard Hudovani. Tom Schmidt and Jon Charles. Now you can add Craig Weitz and Jon Charles to that list.
Craig brings 20 years of experience in the hair industry. A graduate of Aveda, he started with The Tom Schmidt Salon and rose up quickly in the company. Along with Schmidt, they launched Urban Retreat in the 90's, which became one of the hottest salons in the Twin Cities with national recognition. He first met Jon Charles in 1995 at the trend-setting salon where they both headed major departments: Craig served as Creative Director, while Jon was the Director of Color.
For a time it looked like the duo of Weitz and Charles would combine their skills and leadership attributes, but in 1996, Hollywood beckoned and Craig made the decision to go west. There in Hollywood, he added to his resume with experience in film, editorial print, and the television industry. He joined the prestigious Giuseppe Franco Salon in Beverly Hills where he learned to perfect his skills in hair cutting and the art of the blow dry. He also styled Hollywood's elite, including Sean Penn, Ellen Barkin, Mena Suvari and Ciaran Hinds.
Craig wanted to create the next stage in his career but back in Minnesota. "I wanted to bring what I had learned in LA, not only for my clients, but also to share with my peers in the industry," he says of his decision to return. Craig and Jon reconnected in the fall of 2009 and through their partnership and with the support of their talented staff have created a promising and innovative brand. It has caught the attention of “The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,” ELLE Magazine, O and others, and generated widespread media coverage in the Twin Cities and award recognition, including “Best Blow Dry” from Minnesota Monthly ‘09'.
With the opening of a second salon in Wayzata in the fall of 2009, Craig continues to build a leading brand with Jon Charles that isn’t ending any time soon: "It's all about long-term relationships," Weitz notes. "With our community, clients, and our staff, we’re creating something in the industry that people love. That's the secret — and that's the reward. We have only just begun this ride."