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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox The neon sign hanging in the Lavender Puff’s window has been illuminating the salon’s Water Street storefront since the business opened in 1963. |
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By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — In the 1960s, hairstyles such as the flip, the beehive and the Beatle-inspired mop top were all popular looks. The 1970s saw more relaxed, natural styles, and then the 1980s happened, where enormous, permed, teased and sprayed styles were—pardon the pun—the big thing. As history and fashion have a tendency to repeat themselves, each coiffure has made a comeback of sorts at some point over the years, and one salon in Caribou has witnessed it all.
Businesswoman Fern Boudreau opened the Lavender Puff in 1963. Current owner Karlyn Williams is not certain of the salon’s original location, but for the majority of its 50-year life, it has been cozily tucked away in the center of the strip of businesses located on Water Street in Caribou.
A Washburn native, Williams graduated from Mansfield Beauty Academy in Portland in 1988 and has been in the hair styling industry ever since. She took over the Lavender Puff from Boudreau in 2000 after having worked there for the majority of her career.
When Williams became employed at the Lavender Puff, it was already a well-established business, having been in operation over 25 years. Boudreau still owned the salon and worked there, but it was managed by Boudreau’s daughter, Danette Madore.
“Fern was great,” Williams commented about her mentor. “She never said no. She could have five customers waiting and she would still accept a walk-in. She was a hard worker.”
Since Williams purchased the business, Boudreau has moved to the Portland area and Madore has switched careers, currently working at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Williams advises she has seen many changes in the business over the years, the biggest being the same as with any industry: pricing. Hair trends have also come and go.
“We don’t do as many perms,” Williams said. “We now perform a lot of keratin treatments, which smoothes the hair.”
According to Williams, the most challenging situation she and her stylists encounter these days is trying to correct processes people have performed themselves with do-it-yourself products such as color.
The longevity of the salon is accompanied by customer loyalty. Many of the current patrons have faithfully gotten their hair done at the Lavender Puff since before Williams even worked there. Williams is proud of the reputation the salon has in the community.
“Fifty years speaks for itself,” she said.
In addition to the many hair maintenance services provided at the Lavender Puff, the salon also features a stylist capable of adding hair extensions, a tanning bed and booth, basic waxing, and a variety of hair-care products offered for sale.
To book an appointment with the Lavender Puff, call 493-4423. Walk-ins are also welcome.
