By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Forty years are already in the books for Brandy’s Beauty Salon and owner Beverly “Brandy” Robertson can look forward to another four successful decades for her business.
Right?
“My feet tell me it has been (40 years),” Robertson laughed. She admitted that she’d rather retire before hitting a second 40-year milestone for her hair salon, however.
Robertson started working at that salon – which had been Kitty’s Beautyrama at the time – days before she turned 19. Robertson had graduated from Nationwide Beauty Academy in Columbus in 1972 and stopped at Kitty’s to inquire about a position. Marilyn “Kitty” Windsor hired her and three short years later Robertson purchased the business from Windsor and renamed it Brandy’s Beauty Salon.
Owning and operating a beauty salon wasn’t exactly in the plans at the time, Robertson said.
“It was kind of intimidating. I wasn’t planning on doing that,” she said.
Rather, Robertson had planned on getting some real world experience before returning to the beauty academy to teach.
Forty years later, Robertson is still at the little salon on East Rensselaer Street in Bucyrus. She’s not alone in dedicating years to Brandy’s Beauty Salon. Robertson is joined by longtime employees Elaine Whitmeyer, Joy Britton, and Linda Freeman, who have each worked at the salon for 40, 35, and 33 years, respectively.
Robertson’s husband, David, is responsible for bookkeeping and maintenance needs while Peggy Benedict has worked for Brandy’s Beauty Salon for two years now helping to clean up hair and maintain the salon.
“It’s been a great job. My employees are great employees,” Robertson said as she described the women she worked with as family. “They’re a great team and I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Robertson understands just how much she depends on her staff but she knows the other factor that she couldn’t have done without either.
“It’s been humbling to think that the community supports us too,” Robertson said. “Our patrons are dedicated and they’re like family to us too.”
Brandy’s Beauty Salon is celebrating 40 years of business throughout the week. There will be an open house every day this week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Clients and community members can stop by for refreshments and register to enter daily drawings. There will be a final drawing for a gift basket on Friday. Robertson will also be featuring a display of pictures of past employees.
Brandy’s Beauty Salon is a full-service salon that offers cuts, colors, perms, facial waxing, manicures, and special occasion styles. It also carries a variety of professional product lines. The salon is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on evenings by appointment. To schedule an appointment call Brandy’s at 419-562-2836.