Becky's Yarnin'
4O Years at 4O North ~ Thursday May 1st / 1986 to Friday May 1st / 2026 ~ #40yrsat40north
Posted: 01 May 2026
It's Hard to Believe 4O years has Come and Gone since I started HairDressing at My Shop in Lockeport. Somethings have changed, especially in the Community, with New Buildings, Businesses and Residents. There has been change here at the shop too... with a couple of Name Changes along the way. 1 Worldly Event, The Covid Apocalypse in 2O2O, that changed the Landscape Forever with Many Businesses. Yet I'm still here, with a few things that remain the same. Some habits just can't be replaced... like using a pencil to physically write people's names in the appropriate time slots, still in the exact same type of appointment book. There's the same phone number, with a cell phone number added, to also call. Same physical location, 4O North Street. Same mirror hanging in its original location. Apparently, it's bad luck if you smash, relocate or change out your original hairdressing mirror. Still with My 1st Association of Nova Scotia Hairdressers Inspection Sticker attached to it. NSHA is no longer called that, nor do we have inspections anymore... Go Figure?!! Same Shampoo Sink hangs in its original hookup location (1st ABS plastic one that came out on the market) ...now I'm really dating myself!! Other pieces of Hair Equipment have been replaced a few times over, along with the many Display Units for Retail. And any of you who have Visited the Shop, knows that the Selection of Goods to Purchase has changed many times over the years. After all, 4O Years, somethings do have to change. There are things you have to Update in order to Keep up with The Times. Like Debit terminals... who remembers the metal visa card terminal that you inserted the card on top and racked across it to make an imprint on a Visa Receipt. Then you had to take the time to Physically Call into the Visa Centre to have any purchase over a $100. approved. Could you just imagine that now adays?!! And then there's some items that will never change, and My Original HairClients Enjoy seeing them remain. I guess it's like a form of comfort to them. Change is Good, but Some has to remain 'till the End of the Era... as I'm Just too Damn Stubborn to give in!!
I've recently been looking thru my Original Appointment Book... 1986 ~ the Only 1 I kept from the very beginning of when "Becky's Place of Hair Design" was established. The Unofficial Date was April 23rd / 1986... The Official Opening Day was Thursday May 1st / 1986. That day, and most days from there on I worked at least 1O+ hour days, for Many years, rarely with a lunch or supper break, unless you were doing a bank deposit. As then there was no digital banking. Back in the days when We had All Ca$h & Cheques. And didn't I Love those Cheques that would Bounce!! It all had to be Physically handled by yourself and the tellers at the bank. In My Appointment Book I would say that 80% of those Clients have either passed on or moved away. And We wonder why Our Population has decreased. There are Names I well Recognize, and Others I have to think about to recall who they were. I Reminisce back to Funny Events that have taken place, But there's also the Sad Times too. Very few of My Clients have seen the Melancholy Side of Me... but that's when you know You're a True Client / Friend for Ever & Ever. Those are the ones that have Shared the Extra Deep Down Belly Laughs, and The Snot & Tears of Sadness and Joy. They have a Special Place in My Heart. And it will be "till death do us part". For all I know it could be Me that Parts away from this Earth first and so be it.
Clients become Your Family. Especially the ones that have been with you for years to See the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. And that goes both ways. There's a Bond that is Between a HairDresser and their Loyal Client, as You are Physically touching them, and hearing what Resonates from deep down inside their Heart & Soul. Years back when I was a doing Hair Full Time, I could Separate Myself from that. No longer... I need to know that they Feel Comfortable and Trust your presence. A HairDresser is Sort of a Therapist. Believe Me, over the Years, I've heard a lot!! Sometimes more than I feel I need to know. I could write Volumes of Books to Complete a Collection.
I've had a Great 4O years. Lots of Ups & Downs, like Everybody. Be it in My Own Life, My Clients Lives and / or The Community. We share a Common Bond. And that makes me Happy to be able to want to Continue coming into My "Little Corral" every Monday & Tuesday to Greet My HairClients who have Become "Friends & Family".
Here's to However many Years My Mind, Hands, and Feet continue to allow me to do so.
From the Bottom of My Heart ~ "ThankYou" to Those who Continue to be Loyal... The New Ones Who Join Us. And to All the Ones who Visit and Support All My Wild & Crazy Ideas. Always Know that those who have left this Earth, Their Spirit Continues to be Here with Me in My Wee Shop.
Until Next Time, Take Care... ~ Becky