News
ENLARGE
Gary and Debbie Evans are carrying on the tradition of Gary's mother, Helga Rohl, as owners of Helga's Uptown Salon in Grass Valley.
Walk into the Helga's Uptown Salon in Grass Valley, and you'll find a 6-foot-3 hairdresser, his bubbly wife and plenty of customers.
But no Helga Rohl.
As she recovers from heart surgery, the driven, German-born hairstylist with a bit of an accent and a whole lot of flair has officially passed the baton — or rather, comb — to her 48-year-old son, Gary Evans.
“It was the hardest thing I've ever done, letting go of something that was so dear to me,” said Rohl, 69, about September's handoff. “It's a child of mine, it's part of me. ... But he certainly earned it.”
Her recovery is probably the first time she's taken it easy since she opened her own salon in 1976.
She started out as a respiratory therapist at Auburn Faith hospital, but soon tired of hospital work and enrolled in beauty college. Rohl was always one to cut and color friends' hair.
“I didn't have a clue,” she admitted. “I was a menace, probably, at the time.”
Shortly after getting certified, she opened shop in Nevada City, working 10 to 12 hours a day and eventually managing 15 employees at three locations.
Evans remembers the family suddenly taking fancy vacations as his mom's business grew.
“Business was very good to me,” Rohl said. “I got back what I put in. I loved it and people responded to it.”
Her love for the profession was contagious. Not only did she mentor other local hairdressers, she got her son and granddaughter hooked.
Helga's is now located in a homey cottage on Colfax Avenue, and it's under Evans' charge.
Evans started working for his mom in 1979, right out of high school and shortly after he discovered how much he disliked working at a supermarket.
He was one of only two straight men in his beauty college graduating class, and with a football player's frame, he said nobody has ever guessed his profession.
Hair is a creative outlet for Evans; he's an artist on the side.
“You can change peoples' lives by doing their hair,” Evans said.
The couple works together. While he's in appointments, his wife of nine years, Debbie Evans, answers the phone and manages the accessory boutique in the front half of the building.
“I love it when he does my hair,” said Debbie Evans, 53. “It makes me feel really good about myself.”
But three years ago, Gary had to do the most difficult haircut of his life.
That was when Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer, and as the doctors sent her to radiation, her long, blond hair started falling out in thick clumps.
One day, she sat herself in the swivel chair and let her husband shave away the patchy golden locks.
They both bawled. Then he styled what was left into a 22 inch-tall mohawk.
Three years later, her hair now reaches to her shoulders, and the bout has changed the way they do business.
“It gave me a second look at life,” Debbie said.
She has a newfound love for scarves, like the ones she wore during her treatments, and the store is stocked with a colorful assortment.
The experience also compelled the couple to donate to Locks of Love, a charity that collects hair to make wigs for cancer patients.
Once a home itself, Helga's Uptown Salon is warm and charming. A peaceful fountain trickles at the entryway, enclosed by manicured shrubs. It's easy to tell that both Helga and Gary are avid gardeners.
Inside, rugs and stained glass add color to the waiting room and boutique.
The business is embarking on a new era. The boutique has a youthful aesthetic and is stocked with affordable costume jewelry.
The Evanses also welcomed new stylists to rent space in the business. A medical esthetician does permanent makeup, while others in the building do nails, hair and makeup consultations.
Whatever changes might take place, one that probably won't come is a career change.
“Customers can rest assured,” Gary Evans said. “I plan on being here for a long time.”
To contact Staff Writer Michelle Rindels, e-mail mrindels@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4247.
But no Helga Rohl.
As she recovers from heart surgery, the driven, German-born hairstylist with a bit of an accent and a whole lot of flair has officially passed the baton — or rather, comb — to her 48-year-old son, Gary Evans.
“It was the hardest thing I've ever done, letting go of something that was so dear to me,” said Rohl, 69, about September's handoff. “It's a child of mine, it's part of me. ... But he certainly earned it.”
Her recovery is probably the first time she's taken it easy since she opened her own salon in 1976.
She started out as a respiratory therapist at Auburn Faith hospital, but soon tired of hospital work and enrolled in beauty college. Rohl was always one to cut and color friends' hair.
“I didn't have a clue,” she admitted. “I was a menace, probably, at the time.”
Shortly after getting certified, she opened shop in Nevada City, working 10 to 12 hours a day and eventually managing 15 employees at three locations.
Evans remembers the family suddenly taking fancy vacations as his mom's business grew.
“Business was very good to me,” Rohl said. “I got back what I put in. I loved it and people responded to it.”
Her love for the profession was contagious. Not only did she mentor other local hairdressers, she got her son and granddaughter hooked.
Helga's is now located in a homey cottage on Colfax Avenue, and it's under Evans' charge.
Evans started working for his mom in 1979, right out of high school and shortly after he discovered how much he disliked working at a supermarket.
He was one of only two straight men in his beauty college graduating class, and with a football player's frame, he said nobody has ever guessed his profession.
Hair is a creative outlet for Evans; he's an artist on the side.
“You can change peoples' lives by doing their hair,” Evans said.
The couple works together. While he's in appointments, his wife of nine years, Debbie Evans, answers the phone and manages the accessory boutique in the front half of the building.
“I love it when he does my hair,” said Debbie Evans, 53. “It makes me feel really good about myself.”
But three years ago, Gary had to do the most difficult haircut of his life.
That was when Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer, and as the doctors sent her to radiation, her long, blond hair started falling out in thick clumps.
One day, she sat herself in the swivel chair and let her husband shave away the patchy golden locks.
They both bawled. Then he styled what was left into a 22 inch-tall mohawk.
Three years later, her hair now reaches to her shoulders, and the bout has changed the way they do business.
“It gave me a second look at life,” Debbie said.
She has a newfound love for scarves, like the ones she wore during her treatments, and the store is stocked with a colorful assortment.
The experience also compelled the couple to donate to Locks of Love, a charity that collects hair to make wigs for cancer patients.
Once a home itself, Helga's Uptown Salon is warm and charming. A peaceful fountain trickles at the entryway, enclosed by manicured shrubs. It's easy to tell that both Helga and Gary are avid gardeners.
Inside, rugs and stained glass add color to the waiting room and boutique.
The business is embarking on a new era. The boutique has a youthful aesthetic and is stocked with affordable costume jewelry.
The Evanses also welcomed new stylists to rent space in the business. A medical esthetician does permanent makeup, while others in the building do nails, hair and makeup consultations.
Whatever changes might take place, one that probably won't come is a career change.
“Customers can rest assured,” Gary Evans said. “I plan on being here for a long time.”
To contact Staff Writer Michelle Rindels, e-mail mrindels@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4247.
