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Located on 433 S. Cedar St., Ann’s Beauty Shop has been around for over 40 years providing permanents, shampoo sets, stylish hairstyles, cuts, and colors. If you happen to come into the shop in a bad mood, you can guarantee that you won’t leave in one.
From the good humor to the sweet conversations, Ann’s Beauty Shop has a welcoming atmosphere that will make anyone feel at home.
Ann Phelps, daughter of Audrey and Sam Haynes, is the owner of this great little hometown beauty shop.
Although born and raised in Gleason, Ann left back in 1953 to go to Flint, Michigan with her husband Billy Phelps. Billy Phelps was in the service and came back to find that there weren’t many jobs around Gleason at that time, so they packed up their things and headed north.
While in Flint, Ann earned her cosmetology license and graduated from Jon Clair Beauty School in 1961. She became an instructor at a local school, and even owned her own beauty shop there, Atherton Road Beauty Shop.
Although Ann was quite successful in Flint, she was homesick. When she went back home for Christmas in 1968 the local owner, Bill Heath, told her about the building where her beauty shop is now located.
At that time, her husband worked for General Motors, and Ann worked at her beauty shop in Flint; but Ann happened to see an ad for a job in the Dresden Enterprise at Goodyear (located in Union City). She remarked that in filling out an application she had to indicate how much she would work for. She said “$1 an hour if I get to come home.”
While she did not end up working at Goodyear, she did buy the shop from Mr. Heath, moved back to Gleason in 1969, and opened her new shop in September.
Through the years, Mrs. Ann has had a lot of wonderful help including Brenda Pickler, Lena Suddath and her daughter Peggy Crawford, Betty Brawner, Debbie Boone, and even Ann’s daughter, Teresa Porter.
She gives credit to these wonderful ladies for their hard work and dedication. Gleason women are a treasure to have, and these sweet ladies prove it.
Built around the late 50’s, the building where Ann’s Beauty Shop is currently located has been used for many different things. It was a car lot, “Teensville Center, USA,” and served as a grocery store on two occasions. It’s a brick building with its material from Texas and an owner with a heart of gold.
While the building has seen a variety of business come and go, Ann’s Beauty Shop has been serving the City of Gleason for the longest period of time.
In reflecting on her career Ann noted that “The whole 40 years I’ve been here have been a lot of fun. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Soon turning 85, Ann doesn’t know how much longer she will keep the shop open, so come in when you can!
She is open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, but you can make special appointments. Her home phone number is 731-648-5694 and her cell phone number is 731-514-8560.
Story by Rachel Hughey and Kay Hudson
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