As soon as Patrick Thompson’s company purchased the Aveda Fredric’s Institute Indianapolis in December 2018, he had plans to move the cosmetology school from its spot in Castleton Square Mall.
He quickly determined Carmel would be an ideal fit. The Aveda Fredric’s Institute Indianapolis will complete its move in April from 6020 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis, to 2208 East 116th St. in Merchants’ Square.
“The Carmel location is easily accessible from highways and interstates and allows our students to practice and perfect their craft in a market similar to where they may work upon graduation,” Thompson said.
Thompson’s company, Nurtur Aveda, purchased the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Institutes at the same time. The company is investing $2 million in the new facility. He said the Merchants’ Square lease was signed in January 2020 with construction of the space starting in October.
“We are going from 14,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet,” Thompson said. “Having built three new schools over the last five years, we were able to incorporate that learning to create an amazing new space. Our Carmel institute was designed to be in line with the Aveda environmental mission and state-of-the art functionality for both our students and guests.”
Thompson said the biggest challenge was combining a luxurious upscale experience for the guests with a top-notch educational facility. He said the result is a highly functional design that enhances the experiences for students, guests and team members.
Features include state-of-the-art digitally equipped classrooms for cosmetology and esthetics students; an updated cosmetology clinic floor with hair stations that are modern and have sleek stainless steel; a custom-designed color bar; and two spa areas with 20 beds.
“There are specialized makeup classrooms to support our Make-Up Designory,” Thompson said. “It has been the makeup of choice for professionals for the past decade.”
New to the Carmel facility will be a dedicated Mother’s Room for students, guests and team members needing a private space to nurse.
There will be a dedicated nail spa, with four massage pedi spa chairs. The shampoo and rejuvenation room features glossy blue tile, soft light and custom-designed shampoo beds.
Thompson said the school has approximately 200 students at all times in various stages of the program.
“We have rolling starts 12 times per year,” Thompson said. “We currently have 30 employees.”
