Erin Smith, Staff Writer

When you walk into this beauty salon, you sense right away that there’s something just a little different. At Hester’s Beauty Shop in Bladenboro, there is small town charm, a friendly smile, and a kind greeting to all who walk in.

Hazel Brisson, the owner of Hester’s, has been at her current location since October and says the move has been good. She noted that the shop’s past location was much smaller than this one.

“I rented from Doshia Bryan,” she explained.

Brisson explained that she worked for Bryan for 39 years.

“I worked for her when I first got out of school until now,” she said proudly. “I promised her I would stay with her until she died and I did.”

Bryan died earlier in 2007 at the age of 102. Brisson moved into her new shop located on NC 410 on Oct. 25.

“I love it here. I still have a lot of work to do though,” she said of getting the shop set up.

“My dream has always been to have a place where they (her clients) can come in, relax and forget all their troubles and the hustle and bustle of life,” Hester said of her shop. “I want to give them a little touch of Miami.”

The shop is decorated with ceiling fans in the shape of leaves and has hardwood floors throughout. Hester’s has four operators: Brisson, Belinda Caulder, Jettye, and Angela Brisson. She also has one licensed esthetician/beauty operator, Sharon Hester. Brisson’s shop offers a variety of services from the usual hair care options of shampoos, hair cuts, perms and colors, to such things as manicures, pedicures and facials, along with three tanning beds.

She proudly notes that Katie Bowen, who was the second customer to enter her shop 39 years ago at its old location, is still patronizing her establishment in its new location.

Aside from the usual salon services, Brisson also sells Coach brand handbags, other types of handbags, jewelry, Rainbow shoes, and holiday jewelry for each season. She also carries hair care products.

“If I don’t have it, I can order it for them,” she says of her line of products.

Brisson notes that everyone is invited to stop by her new shop, even if they are just browsing.

“We accept walk-ins as well as those that want to make an appointment ahead of time,” she says.

Brisson explained that all facials, manicures and pedicure procedures are by appointment only. Anyone wishing to make an appointment may call the shop at 863-3351.