Tiffin couple Jason and Sasha Raitz have moved from Raitzy's Chop Shop, which also housed Moxie salon, and expanded their services with the opening of Meraki Salon and Barber in downtown Tiffin. The building was purchased in June and opened at the beginning of October after a $100,000 renovation. The Raitz' bring nearly 40 years of combined experience to the table. The shop is truly a salon and a barber shop as the two areas are separated, each with their own unique designs. In the future, the Raitz' plan to add massage and/or aesthetician services. Meraki is a Green Circle Salon, meaning they recycle everything possible - including hair and chemicals. "Salons produce a lot of waste," Sasha said. "This system greatly reduces our carbon footprint." Another green choice for the salon is the Davines hair products, which are made from all-natural, vegan ingredients right down to the food-grade packaging. In addition, the salon features a free-floating dryer support system which not only looks neat, but is also better for the stylists by relieving the stress on their arms. The salon is also unique in that stylists can be either booth rent or commission. "I would like to nurture new stylists and keep them here. Most stylists can't do booth rent when they just start out. I was new once, I know you need someone to take a chance on you, and I would like to do that for others," she said. Sasha said that though there is a lot of competition in Tiffin, there is also collaboration. "As long as your business is doing something different, there's room for everyone," she said. As for the new name, Sasha said it's a Greek word she came across while searching for a word that meant to be passionate and love your job, to put your soul into it. "I can't believe how well it has all come together," she said. "It's perfect." [gallery ids="https://tiffinseneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/meraki.png|,https://tiffinseneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/20161027_154003.jpg|,https://tiffinseneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/20161027_154102.jpg|,https://tiffinseneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/20161027_160430.jpg|,https://tiffinseneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/20161027_153923.jpg|" type="rectangular"]