In 2012, when Dry & Tea launched in New Zealand, it pioneered a new concept in the hair industry: part dry bar, part tea house. In sad news, after a decade in business, it has been revealed that Dry & Tea will be closing down.

Partnered with L’Oréal, the salon was a local success story, at one stage operating four salons in Auckland, one in Melbourne, and a blow dry bar within Australian department store, Myer.

A spokesperson for Dry & Tea told Stuff, “The hope is [the] Britomart location can continue to trade as conversations continue with other landlords on what the future looks like.”

The business was founded by Nicole and John Kelly with Louise and Phil Pilkington. Newmarket came first, followed by City Works Depot in Central Auckland. In 2014, it was acquired by Amy Sznicer, who opened a third salon in Britomart three months later.

Dry & Tea joins a wave of salons that have closed their doors over the past 12 months, many citing unfeasibility after a challenging few years, labour shortages, and increasing costs, as the reason for their closure.

“Due to on-going Covid pressures on the industry, what was already a challenging market for staff shortages pre-Covid has become far worse with now 25% less hairdressers in New Zealand available,” Dry & Tea’s spokesperson told Stuff.

Hair and beauty salons were one of the hardest hit sectors by Covid-19. Following forced closures, strict social distancing regulations significantly disrupted operations, particularly at the busiest period of the year leading up to Christmas.

Dry & Tea is no longer taking bookings at City Works Depot or Newmarket.

Image credit: David Straight / Architecture Now