HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-11-23, Page 25THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23,1994. PAGE 25.
Brussels man celebrates 30 years on main street
By Janice Becker
Thirty years ago this month,
Brussels welcomed an innovator in
the business world.
George Langlois, of George of
Brussels, opened his hairstyling
salon, becoming one of only two or
three men in the area to run a hair
dressing shop.
A cut above
George Langlois takes a seat for a change of pace, at
George of Brussels hairstyling salon, while staff member
Connie Johnston appraises his cut. Mr. Langlois and his
staff are celebrating 30 years of business in Brussels.
"The people of Brussels were
very good to me, but I had to earn
their trust before they would come
to the shop. Some people sent their
kids first and if that worked out,
then the women would come,"
laughs Mr. Langlois, remembering
his early days in the village.
"It took at least five years before
we could get men to come in and
when they finally did, it was by the
back door, at night."
A lot of things have changed
since those days in 1964. Today,
almost 40 percent of Mr. Langlois'
business is comprised of men.
"They come in for perms just like
the women do."
Not only the clientele has
changed over the years, but so have
the hair styles, the length of time
spent in the shop and the regularity
of the visits.
"When I opened the shop,
women had to come in for perms or
fix ups every week because the
products were not available for
home use. Today, the visits are
maybe every six weeks and we can
sell the customer the hair care prod
ucts to keep them looking good
without the weekly trips," he says.
"The products available to hair
dressers and the public are at least
1,000 times better than those in the
60s. The shampoos and chemicals
used would literally burn our
hands. Products are much gentler
and effective now."
Hair care products are not only
more effective in the 1990s, but are
more time efficient. Mr. Langlois
says that bleached (with chlorine)
hair was very popular in the 60s
and the treatment would require at
Accident in
Grey Twp.
A Monkton man was taken to
Listowel Hospital with minor
injuries folowing a single vehicle
accident in Grey Twp. Nov. 15.
A spokesperson from the Wing-
ham OPP said that Shawn Schmidt,
24, was travelling south on
Sideroad 25/26 shortly after mid
night when his 1981 Chev Malibu
left the road, entered the west ditch
and struck a tree.
The car sustained severe damage.
least a full day at the salon and pos
sibly a return trip the next to finish
the process. Today, the colouring
of hair can be completed in one and
a half to two hours.
Another facet which has changed
is the idea of teaching the cus
tomers how to care for their hair
and create the looks they want, at
home. "Better customer relations
have developed. The shop owner
can no longer rely on loyalty, the
customer base is very transient," he
(T^ountry
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LLBO
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2 eggs, bacon, ham or sausage, homejries, toast $2.99
SUNDAY EVENING BUFFET
4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
$9.95
TUESDAY - FRIDAY 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Soup and Sandwich $2.99
Eat in or Take Out
FRIDAY 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Deli Express Buffet $4.99
Soup, Salads, Cold Meats, Sandwiches, etc.
BREAKFAST SERVED ALL DAY
SENIORS 10% DISCOUNT ANYTIME
County Road #25
Blyth N0M1H0
523-4836
Gift Certificates available
Private Banquet Room
Book Early For Christmas
says.
Mr. Langlois is proud to say he
still has some of the original cus
tomer with him after 30 years.
While discussing the anniversary
celebrations with his staff, Mr.
Langlois asked for suggestions for
specials for the customers. Some
one put out the idea about offering
services al 1964 prices. "I don’t
think they remembered a cut and
set cost only $1.50 then," says Mr.
Langlois.
Hours:
Sun. 10 - 8,
Mon. - Closed,
Tues. 8 - 7, Wed. 8 - 3,
Thurs. 8 - 7, Frl. 8 - 8
Sat. 12 - 8