Shear Paradise, located at 56 North Ave. in Owego, N.Y. is celebrating 35 years in business. Seated, from left, are owners Katie Thompson and Betsy Clark. Standing, from left, are Nickie Mattrazzo, Julie Newhart, Bob O’Neill, Jennifer Haskell and Jenn Shaw. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
Shear Paradise, located at 56 North Ave. in Owego, N.Y. is celebrating 35 years in business, and offers cuts, colors, highlighting, and natural manicures and pedicures for women, men and children. For information, find them on Facebook or call (607) 687-5505.
For business owners, establishing an ongoing relationship with customers is vital to the success of the business. Such is the case at Shear Paradise, a spa, beauty, and personal care salon located at 56 North Ave. in Owego, N.Y. Established on Nov. 10, 1980, Shear Paradise has been a mainstay in the community for 35 years, and the owners are appreciative and proud of their longevity and loyal customer base.
It’s probably not every day that a customer acknowledges your work by giving you, the business owner, a gift of appreciation. A decorative mirror presented to Shear Paradise as a gift from a customer reads, “Welcome to paradise. Enjoy the sunshine.” The mirror hangs on a prominent wall inside the establishment.
Offering cuts, colors, highlighting, and perms as requested for women, men and children, all natural manicures and pedicures are available as well, on the building’s second floor.
Owners Katie Thompson and Betsy Clark, along with co-workers Bob O’Neill, Jennifer Haskell, Jenn Shaw, Julie Newhart and Nickie Mattrazzo, explain their success with the message, “Shear Paradise, where it’s all about you.”
Bob explained that focusing on each individual customer’s needs is a primary objective at Shear Paradise. Betsy added, “We really have a passion for what we do.”
Another key to the group’s success and longevity has been, as Katie said, “Working well together.”
Initial ownership in 1980 also included Cindy Root, who later moved out of state following 17 years with Shear Paradise, but has since returned to the area, now as a customer. The group also worked together for about five years at the Treadway Inn before leasing their first property together at 195 Main St. in Owego, now home to Sweet Valley Bridal and More.
A desire to be building owners instead of leasing property prompted the move to North Ave. in Owego. The group is pleased to see that North Avenue is now attracting new businesses, most recently the Blackbird Bakery and Eatery and The Kitchen Store.
With more successful years encompassing their 35 years in Owego, unfortunately every year hasn’t been paradise. The flood of 2011 left eight inches of water inside the building. Most of the items in the basement couldn’t be salvaged and the entire main floor of the business had to be renovated, however most chairs and work stations were able to be refurbished.
Relieved and happy to get back up and running again after the flood, Betsy shared, “We were one of the first businesses to open up after the flood.”
Customer Marjory Turecek of Owego shared that she likes the comfortable atmosphere at Shear Paradise and said, “I enjoy watching artists at work.”
The Shear Paradise artistry and passion includes ongoing education at least twice annually, understanding and keeping abreast of changing styles and needs of customers, and using and offering for sale some of the best products available in the industry.
The Shear Paradise group is pleased that they have such a loyal customer following, where even customers who have moved away come back for an appointment when they are in town to visit.
Shear Paradise is open Monday through Saturday by appointment. Walk-ins are accommodated whenever possible.
For more information, visit Shear Paradise on Facebook or call (607) 687-5505.
