After two decades of hair, art, and community in West Ashley’s Avondale district, Lava Salon owners Geoff and Noel Richardson are preparing to begin a new chapter—one that honors their history while looking toward the future.
“This isn’t us closing the book,” said Geoff Richardson, co-founder of Lava Salon. “It’s us turning the page. After 20 years in Avondale, we feel incredibly proud of what we’ve built here, and we’re excited about what the next chapter looks like.”
Founded in 2006, Lava Salon quickly became known not just for hair services but for its vibrant culture and creative identity. The salon built a reputation for welcoming people from all walks of life while cultivating a team of stylists passionate about artistry, education, and individuality.
Over the years, Lava Salon also played a role in shaping the creative spirit of Avondale itself.
Richardson helped launch the ChArt Outdoor Initiative, an effort to transform overlooked alleyways in the district into outdoor art spaces featuring murals and street-inspired artwork. In a 2011 Charleston City Paper article about the project, Richardson described the vision behind the idea:
“It’s not just graffiti… it’s a full blown self-expression revolution.”
The project eventually helped turn a small alley behind Avondale businesses into what many locals now consider a hidden outdoor gallery. In a later feature, Richardson described the experience of people discovering it for the first time:
“The best feeling in the world is to see someone discover this art gallery and they didn’t know it was back here.”
For the Richardsons, the decision to move on from their Avondale building is both practical and personal.
After 20 years operating in Avondale and 15 years owning their building, they always knew the investment would eventually transition to a new owner. The property at 811B Savannah Highway will be listed for sale, opening the door for a new business to continue contributing to the Avondale community. The Richardsons say they would love to see another locally owned salon concept step into the space and continue serving the neighborhood.
Winners of Elle Magazine’s Top 100 Salons in America in 2014 and 2015, as well as Charleston City Paper’s Best Salon in 2016, 2017, and 2019, the Richardsons say they are most proud of the legacy built through the people who have been part of Lava over the years.
“We’re incredibly proud of the legacy we’ve created,” Richardson said. “But more than anything, we’re proud of all the amazing hairstylists who came through Lava and are still out there slaying great hair all over Charleston today.”
The timing of the transition also coincides with an important chapter in the Richardson family’s life.
“With one son at Trident Technical College and our youngest preparing to graduate from Academic Magnet High School and head off to a four-year college, it just felt like the right moment,” Richardson said. “It’s one of those seasons where you step back and say, ‘Okay—what’s next?’”
The salon will now focus its full energy on Lava Salon’s Park Circle location, allowing the team to consolidate operations while continuing to serve longtime clients and new guests alike.
“Avondale has meant the world to us,” said Noel Richardson, co-owner of Lava Salon. “We raised our family here, built relationships here, and watched this community grow. The memories will always be part of who we are.”
And while one chapter closes in Avondale, the Richardsons say the spirit of Lava remains unchanged.
“At the end of the day,” Geoff Richardson said, “Lava has never just been about a building. It’s about people, creativity, and community. Those things don’t go away—they just evolve.”
