Beauty Shops focused on More Than Hair

Last week’s Picturing the Past mentioned that Smith’s Barber Shop also had a women’s department.  According to Smith’s obituary, Dock Ramsey’s wife managed that part of the shop and “did the first hair bobbing in Brevard, clipping tresses in the style made popular by Irene Castle.”  Holland Talley also operated a women’s beauty parlor in conjunction with his barber shop for several years in the 1950s.

Mrs. Lodema Robertson operated a beauty parlor on W. Jordan St. in Brevard in the 1930s.  Originally known as the Nobby Shoppe Beauty Parlor the name changed to Harper Method Beauty Shop in May 1932.  In addition to haircuts and permanent waves the shop carried cosmetics.  Mrs. Robertson and her assistants blended powder specifically for individual complexions and instructed ladies on how to apply make-up.

Edith Mull and Marie Davis, East Main Beauty Shop, 1933.

Edith Mull York worked as a beautician in Brevard for several years before opening her own shop, Modern Beauty Salon, on W. Jordan St. around 1943.  Ladies typically had a standing appointment each week to have their hair fixed.  York’s daughter said her mother always enjoyed her work and became good friends with her weekly customers.  Mrs. York continued to work until retiring at the age of 82 ½ in the late 1990s.

By 1972 the Brevard Beauty Nook was the largest beauty shop in town with eight beauticians, six shampoo booths, and eleven driers.  They offered permanents, frosting, styling, cutting, wig care, and manicures.  Mrs. Ruth Sams and Mrs. Edna Fullbright, who had both worked at Anne’s Beauty Bar previously, opened it in 1954.  The Beauty Nook was originally located on the 2^nd floor, above Osborne-Simpson Funeral Home on E. Main.  In 1958 they moved downstairs after the funeral home relocated.

Anne's Beauty Bar on East Jordan Street operated in the 1940s.

Over the years there have been many other beauty shops and salons in Brevard and throughout the county. 

During the next few weeks Picturing the Past will continue to look inside some of Transylvania’s other past businesses.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs.  For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.