Phil Castle, The Business Times

April Harrison has seen hairstyles come and go and come back again — from those feathered locks made famous by Farrah Fawcett in the 1970s to Jennifer Aniston’s quintessential 1990s layered look dubbed, simply, the Rachel.

What hasn’t changed over that time, Harrison says, is the fun, friendly and professional service that’s made the Cameo Salon a business fixture. “We just want it to be a real positive experience for the customer.”

At 50 years and counting, Harrison believes Cameo Salon is the longest continuously operating salon in Grand Junction. Harrison has worked there since 1977 and purchased the business in 1984.

Afton Fuoco started Cameo Salon in 1969 and has long served as a mentor of Harrison. “She’s done a fabulous job,” Fuoco says. “I’m so proud of her.”

Cameo Salon has scheduled an anniversary celebration for 5 to 8 p.m. June 19 at the salon, 1938 N. First St. The celebration will include refreshments and a raffle. Harrison says the event will serve as a thank you for existing customers as well as a welcome for potential customers.

In addition, a benefit cut-a-thon is set for 1 to 5 p.m. June 23 at Cameo Salon. Stylists will provide haircuts to walk-in customers for a suggested minimum donation of $10. Proceeds will go to the Latimer House program for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Harrison says she didn’t initially plan a career in the beauty industry — or to own a salon, for that matter. She attended a beauty school in Salt Lake City on a scholarship and says she fell in love with the work.

While Harrison says she grew up in Arizona, she moved with her family to Western Colorado and graduated from Nucla High School.

When she completed training at the beauty school in Utah, Harrison returned to Grand Junction to work and live. She says she worked downtown before going to work for Fuoco at the Cameo Salon in 1977.

Harrison says she soon learned from Fuoco the importance of customer service. “Always, customer service is No. 1.”

It’s a priority Harrison says the nine stylists at Cameo Salon demonstrate every day. “I’ve been really blessed with a great staff. … They genuinely care about the customer that walks in the door and sits in their chairs.”

Unlike salons that rent booths to stylists, Harrison operates on a commission basis in which stylists receive a portion of the revenue they bring in.

Business has been stable over the years, Harrison says, because of the longevity of the stylists and clientele they’ve maintained.

One of the stylists with which she works has been at Cameo Salon for 29 years, Harrison says. Four of the stylists have worked there for more than 20 years.

Harrison says she still serves many of the same clients she first met when she started out in the 1970s — along with their children and grandchildren.

Some things have changed, though.

While salons used to offer only hair cuts and styling, many salons have expanded their services in recent years, Harrison says. Cameo Salon has followed that trend in offering manicure and pedicure services, waxing and even eyelash extensions, she says. The salon also sells a varied inventory of hair and nail care products. “We’ve kept very proactive with the new things.”

Even as Cameo Salon enters its 51st year in business, Harrison says she has no plans to step away from the operation. “I still love what I’m doing.”

Moreover, she says she’d miss the camaraderie of the friends with which she works. “It would be hard to imagine not seeing these girls every week.”

Hairstyles come and go and come back again. But Harrison expects to keep doing what she’s done for more than 40 years, and that’s providing fun, friendly and professional services.

She says she’s grateful for the dedicated staff, loyal customers and family support that makes that possible. She says she’s also grateful for what Fuoco taught her. “She’s just the best businesswoman.”

Fuoco returned the compliment. “I know she’s sweet as sugar. I couldn’t be more proud.”

For more information about the Cameo Salon, call 243-7863 or visit www.cameosalongj.com.