Patrick and Carrie Farnum gave Fruitvale’s long-time Guys ‘n’ Gals Hair Salon a makeover last June and have stood out ever since.
Despite a newly renovated storefront and a new name—Mystic Beauty Salon—the salon is still delivering the same quality and attracting the same clientele more than one decade after its doors were initially opened.
It was the shop’s history of excellence that brought Carrie back into the fold, now as owner.
“I used to work at this salon, it must’ve been about 14 years ago, and I decided to get back into the business,” she explained.
“It all happened really quickly.”
The Farnums began searching for a place to buy last spring and were elated when the owner of Guys ‘n’ Gals Hair Salon agreed. And the transfer has been seamless.
“You know the clientele are still faithful if they’re still coming back to the salon after the amount of time that I’ve been gone,” she said, referring to the gap in her career as a stylist.
While she was away, she explored retail and worked as a hairdresser out of her own home.
But when asked what her favourite part of being self-employed was in her new business venture, she said that it’s like being on holiday.
“It’s a really good feeling to come in every day, have fun with the clients and you just get to do your own thing,” Carrie said. “It’s fun, it’s relaxing (and) it’s enjoyable.”
But it hasn’t been a walk in the park.
The facelift included painting the interior, some furniture feng shui and, this weekend, the duo will be taking it one step further.
“There’s a level in the floor that we’re going to try to take out this weekend—hopefully we’ll get that done this weekend,” Carrie said.
“We’ve been open the whole time, but we’re going to be closed this Saturday.”
Afterwards the salon is hoping to return to regular hours. It’s open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday. And from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.
Even with the former owner on staff as a stylist, the Farnum’s hope to expand their reach with a third hairdresser and an esthetician.
They also have a few other pleasant surprises in store.
“We carry just about the whole Joico line, AG product and ISO hair products,” she said.
Call 250-367-6434 to make an appointment, or drop by 1963 Columbia Gardens Rd.