In keeping with the down town theme let’s talk about Samir. On the corner of Sixth and Madison, in the lower level of the Radison, or Renaissance Hotel, or whatever they are calling it this week, is Samir’s Hair Salon. Samir has been in that location for 27 years. His sister Odette works there with him and has been there for, I think 17 years. This is one of those stable businesses that make working, or living, down town a community.
There was a time when you got a hair cut, or a shoe shine on your lunch break. Now people make a special trip some place, to a salon, for a hair style. I know we don’t call it that any more, but really that’s what we are doing. I’ve been to all of them. The high end, put on a robe spas, to the Gene Jaurez, which is where I met Odette. She was taking training at the Gene Juarez at North Gate Shopping Mall, it’s near my house.
It was a trial and error, but we had so much fun. When she told me she was going to her brother’s Salon down town it took me a while to drag myself down there. It was one of the best things ever.
Samir is a classic hair stylist that your mother would love. Every body loves Samir. He for sure could have had a larger career in a bigger salon setting. instead you walk into an unassuming, meticulously kept, salon with three chairs. It’s a warm feeling that is friendly and professional. People wander in and out, kind of like they are hoping for an opening. It’s a hotel so some people are guests, some employees, and some people who work in the neighborhood. They are kitty korner from the library.
It’s a family place, that is reasonably priced, and the work is excellent. It’s an experience well worth remembering.
Happy clients are the first key component to running a successful salon. And I wish that is the factor which led to your success too. All the best.
I loved this article because it is exactly what Samir’s is like for me. I too followed Odette and the rest has been nothing less than my hair looking wonderful for the past 18 years. Samir now cuts my husband’s hair, my son’s hair, and soon will be cutting my mother’s hair. It took her this long of loving my hair styles and looking at recent wedding photos to realize it is not my hair, but who and how they cut it that makes a difference. Thanks Odette and Samir for making me look great at the wedding and having yet again the question “Who does your hair!” asked by my family. My sister is even wondering if the hour drive back and forth is not worth the final result.