Sabrena Ferguson with her fellow stylists at Meta Beauty Collective cuts the ribbon Friday, May 1, 2026, on the salon’s new home at 327 W. Jefferson St. in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A salon that believes beauty begins with belonging has opened at Jefferson and Church streets in downtown.
Meta Beauty Collective celebrated its ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday evening at 327 W. Jefferson St., filling the space that most recently housed Subversive Cycling. The Urban Equity Properties-owned building is just up the street from the historic Coronado Theatre.
Meta Beauty bills itself as an inclusive salon with exclusive services, and it focuses on creating an LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable creating their own style
“The first salon that I worked in was a very unhealthy environment, and I really wanted to open a salon that empowered not only the clients but the stylists as well,” said owner and stylist Sabrina Ferguson “We can all offer great services but if your stylists aren’t happy you’re not going to keep them. I just wanted to make sure that everyone liked where they worked and felt empowered to be who they wanted to be. That, in turn, goes to the client.”
Meta Beauty, which has been in business since January 2021, started serving clients at the new space in March after moving from its previous home near DiTullio’s on East State Street.
It offers a range of precision cuts, restorative hair treatments, color services, skin scare, eyebrow shaping and lashes. It has five stylists now, including Ferguson, and one chair available. Services are offered by appointment.
People gather Friday, May 1, 2026, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Meta Beauty Collective in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Ferguson handled the interior design as the space was remodeled to give an Art Deco meets contemporary look.
“People feel very welcome and comfortable when they walk in, but it’s still a high-end salon,” she said. “I feel like that’s my biggest pride: You’re know you’re going to get an amazing service and feel really good, but you can feel comfortable showing up in sweatpants if you want to.”
Contact | Meta Beauty Collective
Where: 327 W. Jefferson St., Rockford
Facebook: @metabeautycollective
Online: metabeautycollective.com
Phone: 815-636-9850
Email: [email protected]
Sabrina Ferguson raises here arms after cutting the ribbon on Friday, May 1, 2026, on Meta Beauty Collective’s new business in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas