PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CELEBRATING 35 YEARS IN BUSINESS … Teresa Rupp (above), owner of Hair Fashions in downtown Montpelier, is celebrating 35 years of hair styling and other services for men, women and children in the community since it opened in August 1991.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
For the past 35 years, Hair Fashions has been much more than a beauty salon; it has been a place where friendships have been formed, confidence has been restored and the community has always come first.
Not only has Hair Fashions, which is located on 322 W. Main St., Montpelier, been at the same location since 1999, but longtime owner Teresa Rupp is celebrating her 35th year after she bought the business from Michelle (Day) Etzler in August 1991.
“I kept the business going because I always wanted to do is hair,” said Rupp. “I had always wanted to be a beautician since I was young.”
It has been her own dream, which has turned into a lifelong passion. Throughout her career, she has cherished the relationships she’s built with her clients, many of whom have become like family.
Rupp, who resides in Montpelier, began working at Hair Fashions six months prior to purchasing the business from Day, which at the time was located at 210 W. Main St., Montpelier, in 1991. She had rented the building from Denver Lee.
After making improvements and growing the business, Rupp eventually purchased the present building in 1999, transforming what had once been a part of the old hardware store into the welcoming beauty salon and tanning business the community has known for decades.
She commented that the building had to be remodeled in order to meet state cosmetology board license requirements, and it took her almost six months to finish it.
“I have enjoyed many of my wonderful clients and they are so close to my heart,” Rupp commented.
In her early years, Rupp not only kept a busy appointment schedule, but she also raised four kids at the same time, Corey Geesey (40) of Franklin, Indiana; Jeremy Geesey (38) of Bowden, West Virginia; Katrina Geesey (36) of Pioneer; and Amanda Geesey (34) of Angola, Indiana. She has six granddaughters.
In addition to serving customers in the salon, Rupp has cared for residents at Hillside Country Living’s independent and assisted living communities for the last six years.
She visits clients who are unable to come to the salon, ensuring they continue to receive personal care and companionship.
“I enjoy it because those ladies are very sweet and I also do some haircuts too for some of the men,” said Rupp.
“A lot of them don’t get to go out and about much and some of them don’t have a lot of people to come to see them. I try to make them feel the best they can of what they have to work with.”
Besides maintaining a successful business in downtown Montpelier, Rupp has enjoyed reaching out to encourage people with cards and brighten their day.
“People that aren’t well or just know they’re going through a lot,” Rupp commented. “I like to send cards to encourage them. I’ve been doing this for a while and started out just for people that I knew.
“Like my sister who lost her husband and I started sending her cards. There were a few people at my church that weren’t well, and I started sending them. Then I just keep doing it, so I send out quite a few cards with biblical encouragement.”
In addition to hair styling and card sending, she also does house cleaning for those who are mostly her customers.
Rupp has been blessed with many wonderful beauticians who have worked for her over the years including Etzler, Marlene Tingle, Judy Schumman, Vicki Kreischer, Monica (Gutierrez) Ferguson, Connie Gilbert and Chris Geren along with TeAnna Tingley (nail technician) Lindi (Royer) Peterson, Pam Allgire, Debby Whitman (tanning bed specialists).
Currently working at Hair Fashions are Baylee Willis (beautician), Meaghan Creamer (nail technician), Heather Humbarger (cell analysis of holistic nutrition and music frequency therapy) and Hailey Kayte (color analysis).
In her spare time, she helps her husband, Terry Rupp, who owns Rupp’s Lawn Service, with his business. Reflecting on 35 years in business, Rupp said the greatest blessing has been the people.
“From loyal clients and dedicated coworkers to the many friendships I made along the way, Hair Fashions has always been built on caring for others,” she said.
As Hair Fashions celebrates this milestone anniversary, Rupp extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported the salon over the past 35 years.
She looks forward to continuing to serve the Montpelier community with the same dedication, compassion and personal touch that have made Hair Fashions a local favorite for generations.