Saturday, May 11, 2024
Mary Pike is the owner of Blushes Salon and Spa in Granbury, where the salon just celebrated its 40th anniversary on Sept. 28.
Pike did not plan on owning a salon, but after a few successful businesses and a love for nails, Blushes Salon and Spa came into creation.
Originally from New Orleans, Pike never expected to be living in the small town of Granbury. After visiting once, she fell in love with the town and decided to make the move in 1980.
Pike did not start in the salon business first though, instead, she expanded a pet shop in town, adding 4,000 square feet for horses after realizing there was a need for horse care in the town. She added horse equipment and provided boarding. This was Pike’s first time ever owning a business, and she had a lot of success with it, but later sold the shop to someone and kept the building.
The person Pike sold the building to left after about two months in the middle of the night and took everything inside the building.
A year later, she created a laundromat and attached a car wash to go along with it. Pike then started running nail services after adding on the building after she realized her love for nails and talent. She got her nail technician license in 1982 and was running three businesses under her belt with Blushes opening in 1983.
“Nowhere else could you get that type of service,” Pike said.
These three businesses caught the attention of WFAA Channel 8, where Pike was featured on Good Morning Texas and featured on the Ellen DeGeneres show.
The nail clients kept flooding in, and Pike had a customer once tell her they wished they could get their hair done along with their nails. Suggestions kept being made to Pike, thus the reason massages became a service, as well as facials and permanent makeup.
After the need for more space, Blushes moved to its current location out in Acton in 2001 that covers two acres and has been there ever since.
The salon serves as a hidden oasis with close to 20 rooms total in a 100-year-old house, as well as both private rooms and cabins that you get to through an outdoor walkway for hairstylists to work out of. The salon also provides manicures and pedicures, massage services, facials, and permanent makeup.
“We have just about everything you can get done. You’ve never seen anything like it,” Pike said. “You won’t find anything else like this in the country.”
Pike has some stylists who have worked with her from 20 to 34 years, and she noted that the salon is a family. Pike also added that she has customers that visit the salon that have been with Pike since she first started the salon in 1983.
The salon recently underwent some indoor renovations about four weeks ago all completed by the employees after they pitched in, while Pike has been at home after recently undergoing back surgery.
“Everything is different. I was blown away. I’ve pretty much done everything myself and with my husband. I’ve never had people just step up to offer so much help to remodel the place. It’s beautiful and it’s got all of the (employees’) touches now instead of just what I put in there,” Pike said.
Pike noted that the most rewarding part of her job is helping people.
“I really like helping people, and we help so many people,” Pike said. "All of my businesses have been something that is needed to help people.”
The salon recently had a ribbon cutting on Sept. 28 to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
“This was the biggest ribbon cutting I’ve ever seen,” Pike said.
Many from the community were in attendance, including Granbury Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Diane Hedges and JC Stone. Granbury City Manager Chris Coffman and Granbury city councilman Eddie Rodriguez were also in attendance. The Chamber of Commerce staff, including President Brian Bondy, Holly Martin, Tisa Nacapuy, and Maegan Derryberry were also in attendance.
“For us, this is extra special as ambassadors and those that have been with the Chamber (of Commerce), because (Mary) is a huge part of the ambassador team, and so we’re so proud to be here and partner with her,” Randy Emerson, Vice Chairman of Ambassador of the Chamber of Commerce said.
The manager of the salon, Laura Petty, on behalf of the salon, presented Pike with an award to celebrate the anniversary.
“I want to congratulate our staff. We have a wonderful group of girls and guys here, and we wouldn’t be here today with(out) you all. I appreciate everything you do,” Petty said.
The celebration was a big success and gave everyone in the community a chance to talk with one another while celebrating a great Granbury achievement by Pike.
For more information on Blushes Salon and Spa, visit their website at blushessalon.com, or call 817-326-0197. The salon is located at 5464 Acton Hwy in Granbury and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
