MITCH TRAPHAGEN PHOTO
Dee Dee Lord, left, has owned and operated South Shore Barber Styling on U.S. 41 in Ruskin for the past 15 years, attracting a loyal customer base in the process. On Saturday, she passed the shears to her daughter, Christine Bell, who is improving the shop while working to keep current customers and attracting new.
On Small Business Saturday, one area long-time business celebrated both by inviting other small businesses for some public exposure and by passing the business itself from mother to daughter.
“Today we’re doing a Small Business Saturday event, trying to support local businesses in the area. We are also doing a ‘passing of the shears’ event where my mom is passing down the business to me,” Christine Bell said.
Dee Dee Lord has owned and operated South Shore Barber Styling on U.S. 41 in Ruskin for the past 15 years. In that time she has gained a very loyal following (full disclosure: including me) due not only to her talent with shears but also to her warm and welcoming demeanor. But on Saturday, it was time to pass the shears, along with the keys to the business, to her daughter Christine Bell.
Bell has been busy updating the shop and making changes, which now include accepting credit cards. Both are extremely thankful for their customers and hope they continue to come under Bell’s management.
Christine Bell in her new shop: Even with a ribbon-cutting, hair cuts were also a part of the day.
In addition to a ribbon-cutting and the passing of the shears, Bell also invited other small businesses to join her at South Shore Barber Styling for a Small Business Saturday event that included free hot dogs.
Small Business Saturday is an event supported by American Express to promote shopping at small, local businesses in the wake of the large chain store attractions on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
“I would like to thank all of my customers over the past 15 years. I am so grateful to all of them,” Dee Dee Lord said. “I’d like them to keep coming back to see my daughter.”
South Shore Barber Styling is at 201 U.S. 41 in Ruskin. For more information, call 813-645-1227 or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SouthShorebarberstyling/
