If it is not the classy way in which they do things over at Noreen’s Beauty Salon then it must have been Noreen Fitt herself, for the establishment has weathered over half a century and its doors are still open.
To the casual observer sauntering by 133 Church Street, the salon is unnoticeable. Though a sign hangs outside, old wooden boards and faded paintwork camouflage it. In reality, there is little to see compared with what it used to be back in the 50s and 60s and just about every other decade up until the mid-nineties.
Even in its current state, there is a certain air about Noreen’s Beauty Salon that captures the feel of a beauty pioneering legacy — not the worn chairs and hair dryers — a presence of hair stylists that have incredibly occupied the same ‘stations’ for the past 15, 18, 19, 22 and 24 years.
Before her passing in August this year, the image of Noreen Fitt still somewhat active in the salon, signified its longevity in a competitive market where the hippest and youngest stylists are the most sought after. Noreen had a very simple plan, “pamper the customers and they will come back”. They sure did.
Though most of the clientele have either migrated or passed on there is still a steady flow of persons who walk through those doors every month, according to Manager, Pinky (she insists on this name only). She points out that they also have new customers and contrary to what people may think, some of those customers are teenagers.
“There is a certain level at which we work. So every finished product speaks for itself, which is why the customers have remained over the years and new people come in. We certainly need to add some variety to what we do but for now we are good,” Pinky said.
It is as though changing anything would mean turning away from Noreen’s vision for the salon, but Pinky insists that it is a sealed deal and that in another few months the salon will be renovated and offering new services. Pinky had been in charge for the past few years after Noreen decided to pull out from active work in the salon.
Pinky runs the salon with the full blessings of Noreen’s husband, Victor Fitt. He openly stated that if it were not for Pinky the salon might have closed years now.
“If only I had [another] son to marry her and keep her in the family for certain. She is with us heart and soul but it would have been nice to make her into a Fitt,” he said.
Victor Fitt was able to provide a background of the salon recalling how when they first bought the land on Church Street a certain government official questioned where they got the funds.
“Imagine this was a little piece of land and he was grilling us like Noreen and I were criminals. Today I see all kinds of property going up and I am certain no questions are being asked about where the money came from,” Fitt said, still with a bit of anger in his voice. He even swore.
Noreen opened the salon back in 1948, after she returned from training in the US. At the time, it was under her father’s home in Charlotte Street. But business started to flourish within months forcing her to find new accommodations. She later found a piece of land on Church Street and purchased it with her husband.
But even that piece of land was too small though they made it work for some time. Eventually the two purchased the adjoining piece of land. Fitt said they had “everybody who was anybody” and a host of other persons at the salon. His wife’s reputation as a first-rate hair stylish grew and she would often be called away for personal services.
In those days, she styled the hair of diplomats’ wives, the governor general’s wife, wives of wealthy locals and as her husband puts it, “the other customers who she connected with most”. He said she took a certain amount of pride in her work that is rarely seen today.
He pointed out that Noreen trained many of the country’s top hair stylists working today for free because she enjoyed imparting knowledge. Fitt questioned why hair dressing courses now come at a cost, adding that it is some of the same persons who his wife trained at no cost who are charging people for courses.
Fitt speaks highly of his wife and according to him, she is deserving of every word. He said that she was a businesswoman, a mother, a wife, a friend, and the ordinary woman next door who would sit and listen to people like she knew them her whole life. She also worked hard.
He recalled that she would stick to a certain time period as to when the salon opened and closed but when the work was coming, she kept going. The Noreen he remembers was so passionate about her work that she would only talk hair for days.
“The [salon] isn’t what it used to be and anyone who recalled the glory days can tell you but we are still standing and serving the people of this country. I know though that better days are still to come,” Fitt added.
He said that whatever changes Pinky wants to make she can go ahead and make it with his blessings and those of his two sons who are abroad. Fitt said that someday one of the boys or both may return to settle down in Guyana, and may oversee the business, but as far as he knows it is always going to be Pinky who is in charge.
“Pinky is going to marry someday and leave us; leave the salon but hopefully no time too soon,” he added.
The prices at Noreen’s Beauty are competitive and the salon offers everything except braiding, nail care services and facials. Pinky said that in a few months things would be very different.
(ianaseales@yahoo.com)