Juniper Stone Salon & Boutique’s growth mirrors Newcastle’s changing landscape

Juniper Stone Salon & Boutique’s growth mirrors Newcastle’s changing landscape

For 10 years, one Newcastle business has grown alongside the city, evolving from a single rented salon booth into a growing lifestyle business that now employs local residents, supports other small businesses and has become part of Newcastle’s changing identity.

This month, Juniper Stone Salon & Boutique is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of steady growth during a time when Newcastle has emerged as one of Oklahoma’s fastest-growing communities. Newcastle has ranked among the fastest- growing cities in both the Oklahoma City metro and the state in recent years, fueled by rapid residential growth and an increasing number of families choosing to call the community home, according to data from the City of Newcastle and regional economic development reports.

Owner Jamie Conner said the business began with a single stylist before steadily expanding over the years to meet the needs of a growing customer base. The business moved into its current location on 32nd Street one year ago this month, including a significantly larger space that now houses both the salon and a full retail boutique operation.

Today, the boutique side of the business makes up nearly half of Juniper Stone’s overall operations, reflecting both the company’s growth and the increasing demand for locally owned shopping experiences in Newcastle.

Conner said the goal was never simply to open a business, but to create something with long-term impact for both customers and the professionals working inside the business.

“I wanted to build a heritage business,” she said. “Something that would grow with Newcastle, create opportunities for other women and continue serving this community long after the excitement of opening day wore off.”

In an industry known for burnout and high turnover, Conner said one of her biggest goals has been creating an environment where stylists and beauty professionals can build sustainable, long-term careers close to home.

“The beauty industry is constantly evolving, and it can be really difficult to create longevity in it,” Conner said. “One of the things I’m most proud of is watching people grow careers here over the years, not just jobs.”

That growth has included adding local jobs, expanding services and creating partnerships with other Newcastle- area vendors and entrepreneurs. The business now includes salon services, retail shopping and head spa experiences while regularly collaborating with local businesses for community events and customer experiences, such as the holiday Merry Market.

Conner said another driving force behind the expansion was the desire to bring more elevated shopping and self-care experiences directly to Newcastle residents — offerings that traditionally required a drive to Oklahoma City, Edmond or Norman.

“We wanted people to feel like they could get those kinds of experiences right here in Newcastle,” she said. “When people choose to shop local and spend local, those dollars stay in the community and help everybody grow together.”

Beyond the business itself, Conner said Juniper Stone has also remained committed to supporting Newcastle families, schools and youth programs throughout the last decade. The business has consistently supported local teachers, school organizations, athletic programs and cheer teams while remaining deeply connected to the community through family involvement.

“Our family is rooted here,” Conner said. “Our son teaches and coaches here in Newcastle, and supporting local schools and kids has always been important to us. We want to invest in the people and families that make this community special.”

As Newcastle continues to rapidly expand, Conner believes locally owned businesses play an important role in preserving the community’s identity amid that growth.

“When a town grows this quickly, it’s easy for everything to start feeling commercialized or disconnected,” she said. “Local businesses are what keep the personality and relationships in a community. We know our customers personally. We’ve watched families grow up here over the last 10 years.”

The anniversary comes at a time when Newcastle is experiencing significant transformation, with continued residential development and population increases reshaping the city.

From 2020 to 2022 alone, Newcastle’s population grew nearly 17%, making it the fastest- growing city in the Oklahoma City region during that time period, according to a regional population growth analysis published by Velocity OKC using U.S. Census Bureau data.

To celebrate the milestone, Juniper Stone will host a 10year anniversary event on May 30 featuring permanent jewelry, floral experiences, a coffee cart, braid bar, shopping activities and collaborations with several local vendors and small businesses. Conner said the event was intentionally designed not only as a celebration of the business, but also as a way to spotlight the importance of supporting locally owned businesses in Newcastle as the community continues to grow.