BizBeat: Hairstylists honor late coworker with new salon

Liv Paggiarino/News Tribune

The staff of Big Angie’s Salon stand for a portrait on Nov. 19 in their new space along Missouri Boulevard.
Liv Paggiarino/News Tribune The staff of Big Angie’s Salon stand for a portrait on Nov. 19 in their new space along Missouri Boulevard.

Angie Rice had a personality that lit up a room, and she easily befriended everyone she met.

After the hairstylist died from a heart attack in July, a few of Rice's coworkers wanted to ensure no one forgets their friend.

Named after Rice, Big Angie's Salon opened in mid-November at 1406 Missouri Blvd. Suite J in Jefferson City.

"We loved her, so we wanted to keep her memory alive," co-owner Ruth Lamb said. "She had one of those personalities that people just couldn't not like."

Big Angie's Salon is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The salon accepts appointments and walk-ins.

The salon offers cuts, colors, perms and eyebrow waxing. Stylist Angie Luna Garcia can also do barber work.

Lamb, Luna Garcia and Big Angie's co-owner Shaun Earley worked at Fantastic Sams salon. Luna Garcia, who owned four Fantastic Sams franchise locations in Osage Beach, Lebanon and Jefferson City, closed the stores earlier this year.

The three hairstylists decided to start their own salon shortly after the Jefferson City Fantastic Sams stores closed.

Starting a salon isn't cheap. It could take tens of thousands of dollars to renovate a space, primarily due to the plumbing needed for salons, Lamb said.

Conveniently, their location previously housed Wave-Lengths Hair Styling Salon.

After some renovations, the stylists were ready to open.

"One door has opened right after another," Lamb said. "We really haven't (been) met with any problems, and it was like it was meant to be."

Lamb said she is most excited to continue working with her regular clients, as well as meet new clients.

"It's a real good fit for us," she said. "Angie and I have been doing hair for like 38-plus years and Shaun has been doing hair for about 10 years, and we all have similar personalities, so it worked out great for us."

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