Song’s Salon opened on Dec. 3, 1991 in Pampa and held their grand opening three days later on Dec. 6.
But owner Song Yim Nicholas has actually been in the beauty industry far before her time owning her salon.
“I’m from Korea and came to the United States in July 1970 and I used to have my own salon there,” Nicholas said. “I owned my own salon for five years there. I love fixing hair. It’s the people. I could work 10 to 12 hours/day and I’m never tired. ”
Nicholas came to the U.S. after meeting her husband of almost 52 years, Dan, while he was serving in the Army.
“We met at my beauty salon,” Nicholas said.
Dan was in the 76th Artillery south of the DMZ (De-Militarized Zone) near the Imjin River.
From 1983 to 1991, Nicholas worked at Michelle’s Hair Salon here in Pampa before opening Song’s Salon.
Song’s Salon is a full-service beauty salon, including tanning.
Over the past 30 years, Nicholas has enjoyed a tremendous amount of love and support from the Pampa community.
“I can’t begin to explain all of the wonderful people in Pampa who come in and are so good to us,” Nicholas said.
“For 30 years people have come from Oklahoma, Wheeler, Shamrock, Canadian, Lefors, Amarillo, Borger, White Deer, etc. They’ve come from all over. They are just wonderful. It’s a good community. Pampa is the best.”
Nicholas has enjoyed a great staff at Song’s Salon over the years, including her current crew, who have more than 80 years of combined experience: Cruz Jasso, Bobbye Russell and Tina Shackleford.
While 30 years in business is an admirable milestone, Nicholas downplayed the accolade and said it’s a job she loves.
“Lots of people have worked 30, 40 or 50 years,” Nicholas said. “I just love my profession and the people and my job. My son tells me every Sunday, ‘Mom, please retire. Why are you working so much?’ I tell him, ‘What do you want me to do? Stay home? I love my job. It’s not about the money as long as I can pay [my bills] on time. There are so many good people.”
Song and Dan have two children, David and Sonia. They have two grandchildren, Sofia and Anna.
Dan is retired from natural gas work and has started to help out where he can managing the salon. The pair will be married 52 years in July.
Song’s Salon is located at 1415 N. Banks Street and can be reached at 806-665-4343.
