- November 6, 2024
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Victoria Simko swears Sandra LaRose's hair dryer is the strongest.
"Sandy has a very strong blow dryer," said Simko. "She loves to joke around and blow my hair and clients' while she is next to me. We have loved joking about that."
With Simko being a stylist at David Gregory Salon and LaRose at Design 2000 Salon, Longboaters would never have thought that these two would be working and joking together as competitors.
But after about a foot of water from Hurricane Helene flooded Design 2000, the LaRoses knew it would be some time before their salon would be back to normal.
Along with replacing the drywall and the flooring, they had to install new styling stations, chairs, a dryer for towels and a new front desk. They also purchased all new shampoo and styling treatments.
While this was being rebuilt, Design 2000 staff didn't know where they would be able to take their clients.
"The first thing we did was call Greg and David," said co-owner Irina LaRose. "We came over here to their salon and had a meeting in our dirty clothes because we've been packing everything up. They said they would be glad to rent a chair or two out until the busier months to help us get back on our feet."
After Hurricane Helene, Design 2000 employees started temporarily working at David Gregory Salon on Oct. 17 while its Whitney Plaza location was rebuilt. Gregory Koss and David Roy, owners of David Gregory Salon, didn't hesitate to take them in because they knew they would do the same if the roles were reversed.
"It's been fun to have them here," said Koss. "We're feeling so fortunate that we could come back to the island so quickly, so we had to help our neighbors. Since we are not in peak season, that makes it easier to accommodate them, but we're making the best of what's not an ideal situation."
All stylists agreed this partnership made the salon lighter and busier since it is the slow season.
Irina designated her spot in front of the David Gregory salon with a fold-up table, greeting everyone while they walked by and signing in Design 2000 clients. While answering the phones and scheduling appointments, she runs back and forth from Whitney Plaza to grab all the supplies her stylists need.
Irina said it feels like living out of a suitcase since the salons use different products and treatments.
The four stylists from Design 2000 switch off every other day as they are mixed in with stylists from David Gregory.
The combination of employees loved making friends with new stylists across the island. Through fun moments such as sharing food and dressing up for Halloween, the camaraderie has helped make this challenging time less difficult.
"We totally understand that it could have very easily been us," said Simko. "So we sympathize with them, and it has been a very social thing having them here. It is very refreshing to have friends who are stylists at different salons because that is usually not the case."
Clients have also enjoyed seeing the teamwork between the salons. Resident Karen Pashkow went to get her hair done by stylist Michael Nunes on Halloween and was pleasantly surprised by how busy the salon was.
Nunes said it has been interesting to see what clients attend each salon and how they can collaborate. Irina explained that Design 2000 clients are ecstatic to be able to visit their hair stylists and feel some normalcy.
As they plan to move back to their Whitney Plaza location on Nov. 12, Design 2000 staff is grateful for the fun memories and relationships they have built.
"This really is neighbors helping neighbors," said Irina. "It has really been great because otherwise, our stylists would have no income coming in. Our customers are also just happy as pie that they have somewhere to get their hair done, so we are so grateful."
