Gavin Saines with Prada, Hair Complex's resident sealpoint ragdoll cat.
Hair Complex celebrates 40 years of continuous service in Sanger St next month, having witnessed a bevy of hair styles across five decades from the 80s to today.
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Gavin Saines opened his hair salon on February 20, 1986, at its original location in Corowa Arcade with the help of parents, Marj and Frank Saines.
“Mum and Dad said Corowa was booming at the time,” Gavin said.
“We looked at a couple of buildings, including this one, and decided to open in the arcade.”
Since then, Gavin has styled local heads and watched his business grow.
He says dreadlocks are the most interesting hair style he’s been asked to do.
Gavin has been turning heads at Hair Complex since 1986.
After opening, Marj went off to study hairdressing before returning to work for her son, and within two years the business had outgrown its original premises.
In 1988 they moved further down the arcade and joined two shops together, where the salon remained for the next 14 years.
In 2002 the current building in Sanger St became available, and Gavin jumped at the chance to purchase the building he and his parents had originally considered.
Marj retired in 2006 and sadly passed three years ago, but a photo of her with Gavin still holds pride on the salon wall.
“Mum was the driving force behind starting the business,” Gavin said.
“I wouldn’t be here without her.”
Gavin with mum, Marj, who helped him start Hair Complex.
Gavin’s journey with Hair Complex has seen 23 employees walk through the doors, of which nine were apprentices.
His favourite in that time would be Prada, the nine-year-old resident sealpoint ragdoll cat who roams the salon.
“Everyone knows Prada,” Gavin said.
“He’s always around, he’s very popular.”
These days Gavin works mostly solo, with stylist Katrina Johnson helping a couple of days each week.
“I’ve always had a really strong business,” he said.
“I have Katrina, she comes in two days a week, and I'm open to another if someone comes along, but I don't have to.”
The original ad in the Corowa Free Press announcing the opening of Hair Complex.
Along with his 40-year milestone, Gavin has also been recognised by Redken, his hair product supplier, for 40 years as a Redken trader.
According to Redken, Hair Complex is one of their longest continuously operating salon stockists in Australia.
As for the future – Gavin is happy with his salon and proud to be successfully running the business his mum helped him start 40 years ago.
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