ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Those looking for a new yet familiar salon in town now have just that with El-Kan Hair Shop at 1029 N. Kansas Ave.

Owner LaDawna McVey said she is well acquainted with the space and cosmetology as a whole.

“I'm originally from Liberal, I graduated from Liberal High School in 1986, and I started beauty school about four days later, and it's something that I've always wanted to do. I've been doing hair for 39 years, mostly here in Liberal,” McVey said. “I’m very artistic, so hair is definitely a passion. I love people, so that also helps a lot. I like to make someone feel better about themselves and how they look. My first salon, I opened it in Liberal in 1994, and then I bought another salon on Western Ave. in 2001, and I eventually sold it. I ended up in this building in 2016, worked here for seven years, and then I moved away. I moved to Missouri to become a cosmetology instructor, but I ended up not really liking that, so I moved back. This building came available, and I reopened El-Kan Hair Shop about a month ago.”

McVey said her love for the community and cosmetology inspired her decision to take over the business.

“When I moved back to Liberal last November, I was working with my friend at Bamdoozers Salon, and the owner of this building eventually called and asked me if I wanted because she was going to move to a bigger shop,” McVey said. “The owner asked if I wanted to come back in here and take over the shop, and immediately I said yes because I worked here before, and I love the location, so that's what made me decide to come back in here and open the shop.”

McVey said the salon will offer many services for clients.

“I work mostly with hair, I don't do nails. I do hair and waxing, and that's what I've done basically my whole career. I like to do weddings and I do hair for funerals and at the mortuaries here in Liberal, and I do coloring and haircuts for women, men and children,” McVey said. “It's a family salon, and I welcome the whole family, children and adults. I also like to do low lights, highlights, balayage. I specialize in just color placement and corrective color as well.”

McVey said she is excited to be offering her services again in Liberal.

“Liberal is just a small town, it's great for building a business. I encourage people to go to cosmetology or barber school, because this is such a great career,” McVey said. “I've been blessed with this career for a long time doing haircuts and fades and color. It's a very rewarding career. I encourage young people to go to cosmetology school or barber school and continue their education, especially since we have a cosmetology school here in Liberal. I redid the salon and made it more comfortable, and my family helps me, and I'm very appreciative of that. I am just so, so grateful to come back to Liberal and continue my career.”

McVey added she also has some ideas for the future.

“I'd like to get into wigs for people who need a wig who maybe are going through chemo, and I'd also like to sell some retail, I think that would be a great idea,” McVey said.

El-Kan Hair Shop is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, and McVey said she hopes to see many clients come through the doors.

“El-Kan Shopping Center has always been a busy location, especially with the pharmacy, and then there’s the donut shop next door. This area is just is great, and I love it. There's lots of traffic in this area, so I think it's a great space. The parking maybe not as so good sometimes, but it's very busy, which I like to see,” McVey said. “I'm just very grateful to come back to Liberal and start my own cosmetology and salon business and continue, since I know so many people in town.”