Something New On Main Street In Vergennes
By Cookie Steponaitis
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When the doors opened to Shear Cuts on February 8, 1997, co-owners Connie Gendreau and Hillary Devine were nervous, excited and optimistic towards the future of their salon business. Fast forward 11.5 years and the next step of the dream has become a reality. In May of 2008 the two purchased a building on the main street of Vergennes, and Shear Cuts once more grew in size and took a dream to the next level.
In 1995, Connie and Hillary quickly formed a strong bond working together and decided to set out together on their own. Renting a space from Houston Enterprises and later, Nathaniel Electronics that would be their home for the next 11 plus years, the two had two chairs, one sink, one dryer and a strong commitment to each other and their customers. People quickly began to come to Shear Cuts and over the years the staff grew to include two more full time and other part time people. Many who came back again and again to Shear Cuts were drawn by the unique combination of the outgoing personalities of Hillary and Connie and their desire to make each person feel special and unique.
Both women were quick to relate stories of always knowing that they wanted a career involving people and cosmetology. In addition to always knowing that they wanted to work with the public, both knew the type of business they wanted to run and the atmosphere that they wanted for their clients. Every morning Connie’s dad stops by the salon and has a cup of coffee. He sits, visits and is as much a part of the atmosphere as the girls themselves. Two generations have come through the doors now and that same warmth that started them out on Panton Road has followed them to the new Main Street Salon.
The dream actually began over the telephone, for as soon as the two knew the building was up for sale they were on the phone brainstorming the financing, décor and their need for space and a permanent home. “We accessed the revolving loan fund from the City of Vergennes,” reflected Hillary. “To our knowledge we were the first business to ever take advantage of it. In addition we received federal loans from the Small Business Administration and the First Brandon Bank. We took possession on May 1, 2008 and really worked hard to transform the building for a June 3, 2008 opening.”
Connie added to the conversation , pausing while putting a color in a client’s hair, “We expanded our services in the Main Street site to include a full waxing room, a full treatment and massage area, a spa pedicure and both the Bare Essentials makeup line and the MD Formulations Skin Care line. We offer great services and great products because our customers deserve to look and feel good.” Located at 171 Main Street, the full Shear Cuts team includes Connie Gendreau, Hillary Devine, Christine Dwy, Jill Bourgeois, Melanie Chaput, Sierra Rousseau and Nichole Valliquette, who are excited to offer a full family range of cuts, perms, colors, and all cosmetic needs. Sierra just joined the staff three months ago and was delighted to share how she came to Shear Cuts. “I came here during my junior year of high school in a school to work program. I just loved the people and the fast pace atmosphere. When I graduated from cosmetology school on June 3, 2008, I received a call from Hillary and Connie the very next day asking me to join the staff. I was thrilled.” Shear Cuts is currently accepting new customers and you can schedule appointments at (802)877-2446 or walk- ins are welcomed.
“Vergennes is a wonderful place to live,” remarked Hillary. Connie also commented, “It really has changed a lot in the past two decades and a lot of hard work has gone into making Vergennes a place to shop, live and dine. We are really excited to be a part of it and to be on the Main Street in our own building.” Hillary echoed the sentiments and added with a grin, “We have so much respect for our work, our clients and for each other.”
With a grand opening planned during the month of November, the shop is a constant stream of conversation, cosmetology and enthusiastic banter as customer and the staff gets on with the task at hand, making us all feel great and look great too. This reporter even took the plunge and sat in the chair with the statement, “I don’t care what you do, just change it.” The result is a cut and color that has taken some years off my looks and made me feel that Shear Cuts will be seeing me again soon. They are right on Main Street, across from the Park and MacDonough Monument, under the new awning, and all there are looking forward to seeing you soon.