Cut-A-Thon for Fire Victims

And a local business founded by a teenager

Author

John Apolinar
January 22, 2025

Good morning, Scottsdale. This is Scottsdale Scoop, the newsletter that shares fun events and highlights local businesses. 

If you want your business featured in this newsletter and our Instagram please reply to this email and let me know!

In today’s Scottsdale Scoop:

  • A salon in Old Town raising money for fire victims 💇‍♀️

  • A teen founded flower bar 🌹

  • A hidden gem brunch spot

Let’s get to it.

— John Apolinar

SCOTTSDALE SNAPSHOT

Local Salon is Hosting a Cut-A-Thon for LA Fire Victims

Society Salon's founding family, the Watkins

These are the type of events I love to share. Society Salon, a premier hair salon in Old Town Scottsdale, is hosting a Cut-a-Thon to raise funds for families affected by the recent fires in California. We dropped this on our Instagram page on Sunday to help spread the word.

This event reflects the salon’s commitment to community support and bringing people together. Founded by Gerry Watkins and his sons, Society Salon evolved from the first Toni & Guy salon in Scottsdale, launched in 2019. The Cut-a-Thon will offer discounted haircuts, with a portion of the proceeds donated to aid fire victims.

The flyer says the event was last Sunday (1/19) but I was able to talk with Caleb Watkins and he let me know they will be extending the event until February 15th. All you have to do is text or call 480-946-5400 to set an appointment up.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COLIN & COMPANY

Need a real estate agent who actually gets The Valley? Meet Karsten Colin, the legal-savvy family man behind Colin & Company who's helping Valley families find their slice of desert paradise.

Karsten is a good dude. I’m lucky to know him from our days at ASU (Go Sun Devils) and he actually helped me buy my very first property…unseen. Long story short I was in Denver at the time and needed a home to move back to and he delivered a home run. It’s still my best investment to date.

When he's not coaching future real estate pros or spending time with his wife Sydney and their three kiddos, Karsten's putting his paralegal background to work negotiating the best deals for his clients. And trust me, he's got the chops - ranking in the top 1% of Arizona agents (not too bad for a former "Rookie of the Year" nominee).

Want someone who'll fight for your home like it's their own? Drop Karsten a line - because in this wild market, you need a local who knows how to keep their cool.

BUSINESS BUZZ

Stemistry Is a Buiild-Your-Own-Bouqet Flower Bar 🌹

I never thought I’d be writing about a flower bar but this was so unique I had to share. Stemistry is Scottsdale’s coolest fusion of a flower bar and coffee lab.

Founded by the inspiring 18-year-old entrepreneur, Dylan Capshaw, this spot lets you craft your own bouquets while sipping on top-notch, locally sourced coffee. With locations in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and RoadRunner, Stemistry is all about community vibes and creativity. I still can’t get over that it was founded by a teenager. I love seeing entrepreneurship in our youth.

Beginner’s Luck: Where Brunch Meets Craft Cocktails 🍹

🧇

This might be a hidden gem? I defintely didn’t know about it until recently. This brunch spot is tucked away in the heart of Old Town and has a warm, welcoming vibe. Almost reminds me of a spot you’d see near the beach with it’s white siding.

Phoenix Magazine named this in their Best New Restaurants of the Year, and it’s well earned! The “Cereal Bowl,” amazing. Their Shakshouka, amazing. My Rich Uncle’s French Toast? Amazing. This is a must try.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just local businesses I wanted to highlight. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WEEKEND LINEUP

Friday, January 24

🍷 Meet the Winemaker | The Wine Collective of Scottsdale | 5:30PM

 🎸Bonfire (A Tribute to AC/DC) | The Showroom @ Casino Arizona | 7:30PM

🎤 Adam Ferrara Standup Comedy | Desert Ridge Improv | 7PM (multiple days and times on this one)

🎶 Aaron Lewis | Salt River Grand Ballroom at Talking Stick Resort | 8PM

Saturday, January 25

🌮 A Taste of AZ Food & Drink Festival | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | 1PM 

📸 Weekend Photography Workshop | Taliesin West | 7AM - 6:30PM

🏇🏻 Scottsdale Western Week | Throughout Old Town Scottsdale | All Day

 🤠 Scottsdale Country Music Bar Crawl | Old Town Scottsdale | 2PM

Sunday, January 26

THE GOOD LIFE

Featuring this weeks most expensive home sold at $7.7M. Wowzers. Right on a golf course, beautiful interior, tons of natural light. The pool is 🤌🏽

Here’s the Realtor.com link if you want to see more pics. Looks like a ton of home sold last week. Way more than usual!