OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio – One of the newest small businesses fits perfectly into the spirit of our city – including its name.

Welcome Bulldog Barbershop Olmsted Falls to the community. Its doors opened in mid-May at Stearns-Bagley Plaza.

Two of the three owners are barbers. Meet Sisters Lauren and Jennifer Stechow. They’ve been cutting their hair for a while. Jennifer has worked there for 20 years. Their mother was a cosmetologist in the 1980s. They saw her working in a “friendly” environment and liked what they saw.

“It sounded like fun,” Lauren said. “I love to talk and meet people. When we cut and style our hair, it’s almost like being a therapist. It’s a different environment, which we love. “

They attended hairdressing school and worked together at a hair salon in Bay Village before deciding to renovate a dance studio in Stearns-Bagley Plaza into a hair salon. They also have cosmetology licenses and cut and style women’s hair. Lauren is licensed as an instructor and independent contractor. Their brother, Andrew, will join them in August, making the store a business of three siblings.

Opening your own hairdressing salon in the canton of Olmsted was obvious. Lauren and her fiance Craig Recko, the store’s third owner, live within walking distance. Craig, a doctor who practices in Vermilion, is also a coach at the Olmsted Falls School District. The five children of the future blended family attend public and Catholic schools in Olmsted Falls.

“There is no hair salon in the immediate vicinity,” Lauren said. “It sounded perfect.”

Jennifer, who lives in Elyria, said she liked the neighborhood.

“I like the tight-knit community. Everyone here seems to know everyone and everything that is going on, ”Jennifer said. “It’s nice to feel that family element of a community.”

They also appreciate the way the community supports local small businesses.

“A man came in here and opened the door. He said, ‘I pray for you. We will support you and your small business. “It’s amazing,” said Jennifer, who is a United States Marine Corps veteran. “This is why we were so successful when we started out, with the support of local businesses. It is absolutely necessary after a long stint in the pandemic. They are all set to start revitalizing this community again, from a business perspective. “

Lauren said that when she started cutting her hair, men were a little “scared” with a female hairdresser. Now, not so much.

“A man said to me the other day, ‘As a woman you know what you like about a man’s hair. I trust you more, ”she said.

Elias Diaz, who lives in Avon, said Jennifer has been his barber for about a year. He followed his mowers to this new place.

“She does what my wife tells her to do,” he says. “My wife and daughter also come here.”

Allan Might of North Olmsted sat in Jennifer’s barber chair on Friday. He also visited the two when they were working in Bay Village.

“They pay attention to details. They get it, “Allan said.” You get what you ask for here. “

The store specializes in men’s haircut styles, kid’s and women’s haircuts, custom design, beard and mustache cuts, shaves, waxing and other services. Each haircut includes a shave of the neck with a hot towel.

Lauren said that last year the kids wanted really tough haircuts. COVID-19 has changed everything.

“They grew their hair. We now have the length to work on other styles. The 1990s are back with super voluminous hair on the crown. It’s like Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell Hairstyle, ”Lauren said. “Other styles that men love include the discolorations, the hard parts and everyone loves a razor shave.”

The pandemic has changed a few other things as well. They are fully vaccinated against COVID and will greet clients to make them feel comfortable during their cuts. The store has a state-of-the-art HVAC system, which exchanges air every 10 seconds.

“The system controls airborne pathogens,” Lauren said. “All new businesses need it now. Only a few of us have it in this area. “

They keep up to date with the latest haircut and styling trends by attending hair and cosmetology salons and constantly checking YouTube and Instagram.

Rich Russell and his family moved from California to Olmsted Township last July. He is the commanding sergeant major of the United States Army Cleveland Recruiting Battalion. He first entered the Bulldog Barbershop on Friday after seeing him mentioned several times on Facebook community pages.

“I needed a haircut and this place is close to where I live,” he said. “One of the hardest things about moving is finding a good hairdresser. I need a professional look, not a trendy one. I am definitely coming back.

The prices at Bulldog Barbershop are competitive with others in the area. The store offers discounts for children 13 and under, seniors, military personnel and first responders. A list of services and prices are on its website, bulldogbarbershopof.com. The shop also has a Facebook page. It also serves beer and soft drinks to customers, who usually offer a donation.

Oh, don’t be surprised if you’re greeted at the door by Gary, the hair salon’s miniature schnauzer. It is hypoallergenic. He loves people, especially children.

The store’s phone number is 440-782-5202. Its hours are 9 am to 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; Wednesday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Customers can also book a haircut online.

Why not stop by the new business in town and give them a Bulldog welcome.

Golf outings: The first Olmsted Falls Athletic Boosters golf outing will take place at 9 a.m. on June 26 at Mallard Creek Golf Course, 34500 Royalton Road, Columbia Township. Registration is at 8 a.m. with a shotgun departure at 9 a.m. The cost is $ 100 per person and includes a cart, greenery fees, drinks, lunch, dinner, and raffle prizes. The real fun includes a 4 person scramble closest to the pin, a long drive, a longest putt competition and a 50/50 raffle. Register and pay online at Olmsted-falls-athletic-boosters.ticketleap.com You can also email Darcy Nelson at [email protected] with your team captain’s name, email address, and phone number to receive payment options.

The Olmsted Falls High Alumni Golf Outing will take place at 8:30 a.m. on July 31 at Creekwood Golf Course, 9691 Reed Road, Columbia Township. The cost is $ 100 per golfer or $ 400 for a foursome. The price includes 18 holes, cart, lunch, drinks, dinner and golf favor. Those who just want to enjoy dinner cost $ 20. Fun games include skins, closest to pin, longest draw, 50/50, and raffle prizes. To register, go to ofhsalumni.com or call 440-427-6030.

Congratulations to Kampus: Local residents Angela Elsewisy and Jim Wonders have been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Winter 2021 President’s List. Full-time students earn this honor by having a minimum of 3.7 GPA.

Congratulations Jim and Angela.

Fabric collection: The Fill the Truck fundraiser accepting various fabrics runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 5. Our Olmsted Falls Music Association is teaming up with Savers to bring this fundraising truck to the Falls-Lenox Elementary School parking lot.

Acceptable items include clothing and footwear; accessories such as scarves, belts, handbags, hats, book bags, lunch boxes and fabric linens, curtains, draperies, towels, bedding and fabrics. Please do not bring any household items, toys, books, or non-fabric items.

Savers will compensate the association based on the kilos of fabric items collected. All donors will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Bring your items in bags or boxes. If you don’t have bags, the truck has some for your use.

Trail cleaning: After you drop off your fabric items at the Fill the Truck fundraiser, make your way to David Fortier Park. Join the Hometown Trail Clean-Up Day from noon to 5 p.m. on June 5.

The event is part of National Trails Day, which is a day of service and advocacy for Hometown Trails. You can help clean up the park and trails by filling a bag with trash you might find along the way or by helping pick up small limbs and twigs. City after-sales service will provide latex bags and gloves.

What a great way to help refresh the park which welcomes everyone with its natural beauty.

Information, please: To include news, information, accolades or activities in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, contact Joanne DuMound at [email protected]. She’s also on Twitter, @JoanneDuMound. The online version of the column on cleveland.com/olmsted has direct links to many news.

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