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After decades as hair stylists, JoBina McCabe and Dee Page took the plunge and opened JoDee’s Salon at 123 West Church Street in downtown Marion this month. JoDee’s Salon offers creativity, flexibility and longtime client relationships with the opening of JoDee’s Salon next to the Masonic Lodge.
“It just all came together!” Page said.
With a 1950s-inpired vibe, the owners and independent stylist Kara Moore offer the latest styles and services under photos of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean
“I wanted to bring a little touch of class to the area,” McCabe said. “I feel like that’s what we’re accomplishing.”
For McCabe, the move marks a major step after more than three decades in cosmetology. The Caledonia resident brings 33 years of experience to JoDee’s Salon.
“I’m an artist,” McCabe said. “I get to have a different canvas in my chair all the time. It’s a creative outlet for me.”
McCabe specializes in color services, blonding and vivid hair colors while emphasizing healthy hair above trends.
“Healthy hair is happy hair,” she said. “Just because we want something doesn’t mean we should have it.”
She currently serves more than 100 regular clients, including some she has styled for decades.
“I have one client I’ve been styling for 26 years here in Marion,” McCabe said.
Page, a Marion native and 2004 Tri-Rivers graduate, said styling hair has always been part of her life.
“I’ve always played with hair since I was a little girl,” Page said with a laugh. “I cut my sister’s hair, did my dog’s hair and all my Barbies.”
Page enjoys providing a variety of styles and looks.
“I love my colors and evyerthing. I love my razor cuts that I do, too,” Page said.
Moore, another Marion-born stylist who graduated from Tri-Rivers in 2006, is thrilled to bring her clients to a new venture with her friends.
“It is a new exciting adventure to be a part of opening a salon downtown!” Moore said.
Moore feels excited to be contributing to the growth in her hometown.
Page, McCabe and Moore worked together at the Art of Style. When the owner decided to close, they found a way to stay together.
“We get along well,” Page said. “We didn’t want to lose that.”
The stylists offer cuts, color services, wedding and prom styling, updos and special event hair for men, women and children. The owners said one of the biggest advantages of operating independently is the ability to slow down and focus on relationships with clients rather than rushing appointments.
“We get to know our clients and build a relationship with them,” McCabe said. “They are our bread and butter and we appreciate them.”
Page recently experienced that connection firsthand after the loss of a longtime client.
“I have a client I’ve known longer than I’ve had my youngest son,” Page said. “She just passed away and I just bawled.”
JoDee’s also offers a quieter, more private environment for children and adults with autism and sensory sensitivities. Two of them have children on the autism spectrum and know how crucial it is to make each client comfortable.
“With the salon set up the way it is, we can have private sessions for kids on the spectrum,” McCabe said.
One parent said empathetic stylists made a major difference for her child.
“My child used to scream during haircuts because he didn’t like the sounds or the feel,” a local mother and longtime client shared. “Dee made him comfortable. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to have him look forward to haircuts instead of dreading them.”
The owners said they already feel welcomed by neighboring downtown businesses and are excited about Marion’s growth. As one of several new businesses on Church Street, foot traffic is picking up.
“It’s busy,” McCabe said. “Everyone’s walking and actually looking at the stores.”
JoDee’s stylists work by appointment only. Each stylist sets her own hours. For more information, contact each stylist: JoBina McCabe: 740-843-3151; Dee Page: 740-692-6650; Kara Moore: 740-830-2996.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: New salon owners open in downtown for this week’s MarionMade!
Reporting by Special to Marion Star, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
