Gwen Arguello smiles as she cuts the hair of Sandee Childs, on Wednesday at Gwen's Salone Cottonwood Square, 2317 W. 17th St., in Greeley. Arguello's new location for the salon now also includes a barber shop, massage area, and several other new features.
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Several years ago Robin Friesen returned to Greeley from Iowa and was having problems finding a hair stylist who wouldn’t turn her hair pink or purple.
Someone suggested she try Gwen’s Salon.
She did and found that not only was her hair done to her liking, but that the salon’s “atmosphere was great.”
[swift-infobox title=”Details”]Gwen’s Salon and SpaGwen Arguello, owner2317 W. 17th St., Greeley (Cottonwood Square)(970) 353-8588[/swift-infobox]
Friesen has been a regular client ever since.
The seed for Gwen’s Salon was planted when Gwen Arguello was a teen helping her Uncle Mike at his Denver salon and found that she “liked the smell of perms.”
But it wasn’t until 16 years ago that she took the plunge and opened Gwen’s Salon at Hillside Center/University Mall.
Over the years she worked hard to build her business, clientele and the friendly atmosphere that kept Friesen and other regular customers coming back. A few months ago, with nine stylists and barbers sharing space in the 650-square-foot location, she came to the realization that it was time to move where there could be more elbow room.
She and her husband, Matt – the Big Kahuna on Pirate Radio – looked at a couple possible locations and settled on a 2,700-square-foot location at 2317 17th St. in Cottonwood Square. They opened in the new location July 1.
With more square footage, Arguello could expand her salon to include spa services such as facials, waxing, massage, lash extensions, tanning, manicures and pedicures, and soon laser treatments for hair removal and tattoo removal.
Arguello said she expected challenges moving to the new location but found it instead to be “smooth sailing.”
“Everything has been falling into place,” she said, adding “everyone came with me.”
That includes barbers Vern Dietz, 82, who has been in the business since 1952, and Luke Trujillo, who was a client of Vern’s before beginning his own barber career just nine years ago.
Trujillo was doing so well Arguello suggested they turn part of the space into Luke’s Barbershop with its own entrance.
But it is Gwen who is the heart and soul of the business.
“She’s really a pleasure,” said Becky Chacon, a stylist at Gwen’s Salon for the past year. “She’s very good with her clients, and she’s helpful. I have no desire to work anywhere else.”
Arguello said she enjoys the relationship-building that comes with the business and considers everyone at Gwen’s Salon – stylists and clients alike – to be part of her family and she wants “to keep it that way.”
The salon’s “family” includes a few actual relatives, as well. Her uncle from Denver, Mike Magdelano, now drops in at his niece’s salon to help out on occasion; her daughter Mekayla is in charge of tanning and lash extensions, and her son, Joe, 12, hangs out in the loft.
And when he’s not at the radio station, Matt takes care of the front end of the salon and greets clients as they come in.
“One of my clients said he was eye candy for the business,” Arguello said.
Working with his wife, Matt Arguello said, “is very special.”
– Luanne Kadlub covers business for the Greeley Tribune. Connect with her at lkadlub@greeleytribune.com or (970) 392-4439.
