RIDGEWAY – Rosa Whitmeyer started cutting hair 45 years ago – first in her own salon in Florida, then at Special Effects Hair Salon in Blythewood. That’s where she met and became friends with Blythewood hair stylist Gina Lee. By 2005, however, the two had taken separate paths – Whitmeyer opened Rosa’s Hair Salon at 180 S. Dogwood Avenue in Ridgeway, and Lee took over Cuttin’ Loose Hair Salon on Main Street in Blythewood.
The two remained friends over the years, and last month, they joined forces again at Rosa’s shop in Ridgeway.
“When COVID came along it got really stressful trying to run a hair salon under mandatory guidelines,” Lee recalled. “I was just overwhelmed.”
A testament to her skills and reputation as a stylist, though, is that Lee still has loyal customers from 29 years ago when she started out in Blythewood. Many of those same customers have now followed Lee to Rosa’s.
“Working at Rosa’s is such a relief. To be out from under the responsibility of owning a hair salon during a pandemic and still be able to do what I enjoy doing,” Lee said. “And I love the atmosphere in Ridgeway. Folks are friendly and outgoing and a real pleasure to work with,” she added.
“The town, like Blythewood has good restaurants, good people and is just such a nice small town.”
Whitmeyer is quick to boast that “everybody knows everybody” at the shop. She says they have about as many male customers as they do female customers.
“Our clients are precious to us. When they come in, they want to be pampered. And they are,” she said. “We make sure of that.”
While Rosa’s has always been known for its friendly, homey atmosphere, Lee has made it her responsibility to add seasonal decorations to the outside of the shop making it a showplace for the various holidays.
In addition to Whitmeyer and Lee, BJ Miner, Whitmeyer’s little sister, is the third member of Rosa’s style team.
“Besides offering foiling, waxing, color, perms and of course, haircuts, we do wedding parties and special occasions,” Lee said.
Asked what her customers are looking for this fall, she said styles are trending back to layering and shags.
“But some of our customers never really want a new style. They like the look they have,” she said.
Shop hours for Lee are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. B.J. is at the shop on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Whitmeyer works by appointment, and the shop is closed on Wednesdays. Walk-ins are always welcome, but appointments are encouraged for the holidays. Call 803-337-8053. The shop is located at 180 S. Dogwood Avenue in Ridgeway.
