To the Editor:
Your Op Ed piece ["Shop Locally, Shop in Fairfax," Connection, Nov. 21-27, 2013] prompted me to share my story of how important small businesses are in my community. A few weeks
ago, I sustained serious injuries in an accident. I was hospitalized and underwent two major surgeries. Needless to say, when I was released from the hospital, I was in rough shape. So when I wandered into a local salon a few days later to have my hair washed (something I couldn't do at home!), I received a pleasant and unexpected surprise. I had never set foot inside Salon Prive, on Lorton Station Boulevard, ever before. In fact, I never noticed it there when I patronized other shops. And to be quite honest, when I approached the front desk, I was aware that I did not present like a regular patron. I was in whatever comfortable clothes I could pull on with one arm in a cast, and my face was all bandaged up. My hair, after a week in the hospital, was nothing short of a rat’s nest mess. I am sure I didn’t paint a pretty picture in front of
the receptionist. But after asking her if someone had time to wash my hair, a gentleman appeared and immediately whisked me back to the sinks, and on the way told me that there was no charge for the wash. I was dumbfounded. Not only did he take immediate care of me, here he was telling me that the wash was on him. It was this kind of service, and compassion, that makes me grateful for local small businesses. Would a chain salon had been so accommodating? I highly doubt it. At the end of my visit, when I tried to pay for the service, they still wouldn’t accept my payment. So, I gave the woman who actually washed my hair a good tip, thanked them all and went on my way. You bet when I need any other salon service, Salon Prive will be my first choice. What a pleasant experience, and I wanted to again convey my sincere thanks to their staff for their kind attention.
Nancy Wilochka
Mason Neck