VALDOSTA — An established hair salon changed ownership last fall and now sports a hot new look with the same stylists. The Hair Clinic, originally opened in 1985, was purchased by Kim Barber, stylist for 18 years, in late September 2005. She completely renovated the facility to provide a more updated setting for clients.

Along with removing dividers and replacing flooring, Barber updated wall coverings and added beautiful accent furniture pieces to give the shop an elegant and breathtaking atmosphere. Decor exhibits a color scheme featuring shades of gray, silver and black, very modern and attractive.

Barber believes that customers will benefit from these changes because this salon has a new atmosphere. People have already noticed that it is a lovely environment for anyone to relax.

“It is a very friendly family atmosphere where people of all ages and sexes can feel comfortable here. We greet everyone with a smile and hope if you are having a bad day just by stopping by our salon your spirits will be lifted,” Barber said.

She said the hairdressers here are recharged, renovations are made and the staff is ready to serve the community.

The Hair Clinic offers a variety of services including perms, straighteners, styles for special occasions, razor cutting, clipper cuts, facial waxing and roller sets. Hair color services range from all over color to a variety of application techniques, most times using foiling to place several shades of color in the hair at the same time.

Retail inventory features hair products and accessories. Products include Redken, Sebastian, Nioxin, Thrix, Many different Matrix lines, Rusk and Big Sexy. The Hair Clinic also sells locally handcrafted Swarovski Crystal Jewelry and is looking forward to offering hair accessories soon.

Barber believes the new atmosphere is worth seeing. She hopes that it will help her business grow and please her customers as they relax and get quality services.



Q: Why did you want to own a salon?

A: I wanted to own a salon because I wanted to incorporate my love for God and people under one roof and be able to do something I thoroughly enjoy, which is hair. It is kind of a way to be able to minister to people and have an open ear when people are needing someone to listen to them as well as make them look good.

Q: What makes you unique?

A: We are like a family. Our salon has a warm, family-oriented, yet professional atmosphere that anyone could feel comfortable in. Our group of stylists have been together — some — for 25 years, and during this time we have developed a relationship of respect and caring for each other which spills over to our customers. If you think of the turn-over in most salons, this is truly an accomplishment.

Q: How has business been?

A: Business is doing really well. Most of our hairdressers have weekly, bi-weekly or monthly appointments, but we take walk-ins as well.

Q: Who are your stylists/years of experience?

A: Robert Wetherington, 25 years; Jan Williams, 33 years; Floyd Goldman, 33 years; Denise Pruitt, 15 years; Renee Bennett, 15 years; Sherry Zeigler, 33 years; Geraldine Scott, 30 years and Mary Clark Hamlin, 33 years.

Q: Are your stylists independent contractors? Tips?

A: The stylist in the salon are independent contractors. They pay booth rent weekly and operate their businesses from their stations. Our stylist set their prices but we have made sure all prices throughout the salon are comparable. We do accept tips. This is totally up to the client, but tips are appreciated and accepted by the stylists.

Q: What payment methods do you accept?

A: Currently, we accept cash or checks but we are in the process at this time of establishing a Mastercard/Visa account which will be in operation soon.

Q: What should people know?

A: The Hair Clinic has a new attitude. We are here to please our customers and ensure that they are treated with kindness and consideration. We are going to stay up on styles and techniques and if we don’t know it or have it we will try our best to learn it or get it. Challenge us!! We won’t disappoint you. We appreciate our current clients and welcome any new faces.





Name: Hair Clinic

Owners: Kim Barber

Phone: (229) 244-3555

Location: 1703 Norman Drive Suite E (In plaza next to Best Buy)

Date re-opened: Under new ownership since October 2005

Hours: 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday