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PROVINCETOWN GUIDE
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Provincetown :: Friday, July 30th 2010
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A Provincetown Institution
The West End Salon
By Roger A. Chauvette of Provincetown Magazine
August 28th, 2009
Provincetown has a history of values grounded in geography, history, and in enduring businesses. Just about anybody who lives here or has spent any amount of time here can direct you to the landmark West End Salon & Spa, located at 155 Commercial Street.
| “We aim to bring out the beauty in each person at any age… When I first opened the Salon, my goal was to bring decent haircuts at a reasonable price for fishermen and interior decorators alike.” |
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Dougie Freeman first opened the salon in August 1982 under strained conditions. His business partners, a couple from New York, also owned the Rose and Crown Guest House, as well as the Chez Romaine Bistro in New York City. The salon opened without hot water, so customers endured cold-water shampoos. French-Canadians, bringing with them a certain European flair, were among his early and best customers.
Freeman was a professional already when he opened the salon at the age of 30. Heck, at 17 he dated the son of the biggest shampoo manufacturer in the world. When he first came to town, at 20 years old, he worked for other salons, especially A Cut Above, located where Utilities is today, and he styled hair for Eartha Kitt, Kay Ballard, and Jeff Stryker. By age 30, he had already worked with designer Halston, creating shows at the Providence Civic Center. Not satisfied with his shop in Provincetown, he also styled hair weekly in Cambridge, on Beacon Hill, and in Miami in the winter.
Of course, this begs the question, “What makes West End Salon stand out among others?” First of all, location. The West End Salon resides in an old sea captain’s house overlooking Provincetown Harbor. The property has multiple rooms allowing for various services, as well as a beautiful courtyard that has been used for 25 years while awaiting services and for private parties (wedding party spa event, anyone?).
Second, hospitality. Freeman was the first in Provincetown to initiate same pricing for both men and women for the same services… well before being ordered by state laws to do so. “We treat all people with the same dignity,” he remarks with pride, “whether a show person or a bus boy.” That personal attention begins the moment you make your appointment and lasts until the moment you leave the building, revived.
“We aim to bring out the beauty in each person at any age… When I first opened the Salon, my goal was to bring decent haircuts at a reasonable price for fishermen and interior decorators alike.”
Third, quality. Freeman’s first female partner was a highly placed executive with Paul Mitchell, and she influenced his selection of product lines. Over the years, great care and testing has led to new product offerings and new technical procedures. He brought Aveda, a company now owned by Estée Lauder, to town for the first time, for example.
Fourth, originality. We’ve often heard that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Freeman has often had imitators while he was innovating and stretching the envelope. He was the first in town to open seven days a week, and to stay open until midnight in season. West End Salon offers a children’s ABC menu, providing manicures, haircuts, and even spa parties for 10-year-old girls.
Freeman has also been politically active in women’s, gay, and minority rights issues. For many years, he has offered an annual Beauty Scholarship for someone who has overcome adversity. He also brought spa services together, including massages, facials, body wrap treatments, and so much more.
Fifth, novelty. When you make your appointment, consider including a Better Than Sex foot treatment that combines a pedicure with therapy for “a new sensation of pleasure.” Add an Acupressure Face Lift, performed by a specially trained massage therapist. The procedure stimulates facial muscles to help you look younger for up to three weeks. If you struggle with curly, frizzy hair, consider a Keratin Hair Smoothing Treatment that originated in Brazil. The treatment will unravel your hair for up to three months, but this all-natural extract will take up to two hours to apply. Consider also an Ionic Detoxifying Foot-Bath, and watch the water change color as the toxins exude from your body.
Freeman sees himself as a coach to his staff of 24, not a boss. He annually selects three gifted employees, people who already grasp their talents. “I have 16 weeks,” he states, “to hammer them into hairdressers.” He has now trained many of the top hair stylists in Ptown and elsewhere. Freeman has reached the point in his life where his dream is to pass on what he knows… confident he has made his mark, made a difference, and become an institution himself.
West End Salon & Spa is located at 155 Commercial St., Provincetown. For appointments, hours, and more information, call 508.487.1872 or visit westendsalon.com.
Also visit ProvincetownMagazine.net for more articles and information.
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