Salon Fernweh is set to open this summer in downtown Milwaukie, according to the brand’s Instagram page, which lists the salon as opening summer 2026. The salon, owned by Deana Tharpe and Lauren Mather, will be located at 10909 SE Main Street, sandwiched between two secondhand shops, as part of the block’s ongoing transformation into a collection of independent small businesses. The salon will feature 10 seats, with owners planning to lease chairs to local stylists. It will also offer esthetician and skincare services alongside hair styling, according to project manager Nick Hess.
The name says a lot about the brand’s personality. Fernweh is a German word with no direct English translation, best described as a deep, almost aching longing for distant places, the opposite of homesickness, a wanderlust that pulls you toward the unknown. It’s a fitting name for a salon planting its roots on one of Milwaukie’s most busy blocks.
According to The Oregonian, other confirmed tenants in the building include Sadie’s on Main boutique, Bridge City Improv comedy theater, and Fizz n Sip. A bakery, pizza shop, and clothing retailer are also expected to open in the coming months, turning the block into one of the most exciting retail corridors in Clackamas County.
