A new one-stop hair and beauty shop aimed at serving Surrey’s growing Black community opened its doors on Saturday, drawing crowds of supporters who dropped off flowers and snacks for owner and founder Gift Ossai.
Citadel Salon and Spa combines hair, nail and beauty services under a single roof, filling what customers and the owner describe as a long-standing gap in the city. Few businesses in Surrey have offered such tailored services for Black clients, according to the salon’s founder and customers who spoke with CTV News.
Isioma Chukwu, a working mother who has lived in Surrey for more than eight years, said she struggled for years to find a stylist equipped to handle her hair texture, at one point cutting her hair during her first year in the city. She said the opening of Citadel now gives her a place to get her hair, nails and other beauty needs handled in one visit.
From Home Business to Full-Service Salon
Ossai started the business as a home-based operation a few years ago before expanding it into a full storefront. She said the shift came after clients repeatedly asked her for referrals for nail technicians, lash services and facials, prompting her to consolidate those offerings into one location.
The salon’s service list now includes haircuts and styling, colour treatments, extensions, wig services, braids, lash extensions, Swedish massage, facials and nail care. Ossai said the shop also offers on-demand event makeup, a service she said addresses a common problem for clients who miss beauty appointments due to scheduling conflicts.
Other customers echoed the demand for combined services. Tari Ohiosimuan, a mother of two, said she had been looking for a business where her entire family could get their hair and beauty needs met together, including her husband getting a haircut and pedicure in the same visit.
Serving a Growing Community
Surrey has the largest concentration of people of African descent in Metro Vancouver, with many residents saying they moved to the city for more affordable housing and have since built a community there. Customer Stephanie Odhomo said the salon offers more than beauty services, describing it as a welcoming space that feels like family.
Ossai said her goal is for customers to leave with a positive experience that reinforces the vision behind the business. She said she hopes to expand the concept to Vancouver and Burnaby within the next few years.
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