The snipping sound of scissors, the hum of an electric razor and the pink glow from a neon sign are some of the first sights and sounds when entering into Parlour ‘73, a Battle Ground-based salon.
Typically, owner Andrea Young will help customers of all ages, but for the next couple of weeks, school-aged children will occupy the salon’s chairs.
Young and her team of hairstylists will provide free haircuts and a 30 percent discount for hair coloring just in time for the back-to-school season.
“I just felt it was right to help out the community and to help families who might be struggling,” she said. “COVID has just been a downpour on everything.”
Young, who was a single mother with three children for a few years, said she understands haircuts can be expensive.
“I know how tough it gets,” she said. “You want to put clothes on their back and shoes on their feet, and sometimes haircuts, but it’s the last thing that some parents think of.”
When Young and her co-worker Alisha Costello were earning their cosmetology licenses, they also offered free haircuts for back-to-school.
Parlour ‘73 staff members started the haircuts last week, and have since cut about 50 to 75 student’s hair at no cost, Costello said.
Costello said she will be available to offer free haircuts and discounted hair coloring on Sept. 3 and Sept. 10. Young will provide free haircuts on Sept. 4.
Megan Harrell, a hairstylist specializing in natural curls, is available on Sept. 4. Text 503-970-3417 for a time slot.
“Let’s face it, hair is important for kids. They’re going to speak on it,” Costello said.
On a first-come, first-served basis, clients can book an appointment by texting individual hairstylists. Those interested can contact Young at 360-798-0364 and Costello at 360-890-8038.
The salon is at 819 SE 14th Loop Suite 115, Battle Ground.
Before Young pursued a career in beauty, she spent 25 years in the dental industry. Young said she eventually felt burnt out and decided to leave for a job as the admissions director for Aveda Institute Portland at the Vancouver campus.
Young said every time she led a student tour, she thought “why am I not doing this myself?”
The timing seemed perfect, she said, so she went back to school and earned her license to become a cosmetologist. Then Young, at age 42, opened her own hair salon in December.
“I did hair in high school, but it wasn’t a popular career choice back then. It wasn’t a safe one,” Young said.
Costello met Young while attending Aveda Institute together. Costello ended up transferring to a different school, but when she saw Parlour ‘73 had opened, their paths aligned so they could start working together.
Parlour ‘73, in the Battle Ground Village, provides haircuts, hair extensions, hair coloring, eyelash services, and hair and makeup services for events. There is also an in-house nurse practitioner, Megan Frasier.
“It seemed right to come here,” said Young, who was born and raised in Battle Ground. “I get to work with people and serve people that I have known for a long time while being in my own community.”
