Two sisters broke away from the corporate store inside Wal-Mart to open The Shear Shack, bringing life to a Main Street store that had been empty for five years.
The new salon opened in between Smitty’s Pool Hall and Smoke ’n’ Stuff on Tuesday. It is the brain-child of stylists Christina Padilla and Jenna Gallegos, who two branded the store after their maiden name, Schaak.
The two were born and raised in Cortez and didn’t envision going into cosmetology until after high school, when they realized the potential it had as a trade.
Padilla and Gallegos have been working the business for the past six months, in addition to working full time.
“It’s well worth all the hours we put in after work,” Gallegos said.
The space has been transformed from a bright-yellow interior to a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Although the store front is narrow, the space includes several rooms beyond the styling space, including a waiting room and area for drying hair.
Two other stylists, Krystin Charley and Sara Evans, also left corporate culture. All four said the store inside Wal-Mart required heavily restrictive work hours, and the rules infringed on their style.
“We wanted to work when we wanted, wear what we wanted,” Gallegos said.
Padilla left her job after seven years as a manager, becoming an entrepreneur three years ahead of her personal goal.
All four were hard at work cleaning the store Monday, after driving to Farmington in the early hours of the morning to pick up equipment and prepare for the opening.
“We had our struggles, but it’s worked out,” Gallegos said.
They were all thankful for the help of family and friends who supported their endeavor.
In addition to hair-styling services, the store will offer pedicures and waxing.
They plan to charge $15 for a hair cut, as they did before. It will be open Monday through Saturday and by appointment one Sunday a month.
The salon can be reached at 970-516-1800.
mshinn@cortezjournal.com