By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
“I can’t believe I’ve been doing this in Hokah for 30 years. I guess it’s because I’ve enjoyed it so much. Every day is something new. I have so many loyal customers.”
That’s the way Joann Brickman, owner of Hair Haven in Hokah summed up the past 30 years she has been in business. To celebrate this milestone, Hair Haven will be hosting an open house Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Although she had never been to a beauty salon when she was younger, Brickman told her high school counselor her plans were to become a hair stylist. And that’s just what she did. She graduated from cosmetology school and went to work in La Crescent.
“When I first started, I hated it,” Brickman said smiling. “This was in the 1970s, and everyone had long, straight hair. I told my mother I wanted to quit and do something else. She encouraged me to try it for a year. I did, and before that first year was done, I found that I really did enjoy it. I’m glad I listened to my mother. This is all I’ve ever done, and after 35 years, I still look forward to going to work every day.”
After working in La Crescent for nearly five years, Brickman was approached by Don Walcker, who owned an empty building in downtown Hokah. He’d heard that Brickman was a good beautician, felt Hokah needed a beauty parlor, and offered to rent the young hair stylist his building.
Brickman’s mother loaned her $900 to purchase used beauty salon equipment that had received smoke damage from a fire. The 24-year-old used copious amounts of soap, water, and elbow grease, cleaned up the equipment and opened the shop across from the Hokah Co-op in 1978.
The downtown location included four chairs, which Brickman kept busy. She had as many as three beauticians working at one time during the 10 years she was in the downtown location.
In 1989 Brickman decided to downsize a little. As a single mother, she wanted to continue in the beauty salon business, but on a smaller scale. She purchased a small house on 7th Street, which overlooked Highway 16 and the Root River valley.
She and her daughter Samantha lived in the house, and Brickman operated a small shop by herself for the next 15 years. Her business was very steady, and she decided it was time to expand. So the small house was removed, a new home, with a walkout basement, which serves as her place of business, was built.
The new salon, which measures about 20 by 60 feet, includes three chairs, a tanning booth, a large display area with Matrix beauty products, and a station where manicures and pedicures are done. Hair Haven also offers waxing, facials, and ear piercing.
Brickman’s daughter, Samantha Mullen, serves as the second beautician at Hair Haven. Sam has been working with her mother for the past five years.
And how does the mother daughter duo get along? Sam replied, “It’s great. We get along so well. On our days off, we go shopping together. I really enjoy working with her,” she said smiling at her mother.
Brickman echoed her daughter’s remarks. “Sam and I are best friends. She brings in the young people, while I have my loyal customers, some who have been coming to me for over 30 years. It’s the best of worlds. We work so well together.”
When asked how business has been, Brickman thought for a moment and stated she and her daughter have been averaging around 100 customers per week. They have developed a large customer base, with clients coming from as far away as Rochester, Lanesboro, Peterson, Caledonia, Brownsville, La Crosse, and Holmen, Wis.
“I have so many adopted grandmothers,” Brickman pointed out. “So many of these grey-haired ladies have been coming to me for years. Once a person gets used to a hair dresser, they usually stick with them. I have been doing Mary Reider’s hair for 34 years. She comes over from La Crescent every Friday.”
Hair Haven also does wedding parties. The largest one they did was a party of 12.
“We started around 7 a.m., and had them ready by noon,” Sam said. “That was pretty crazy. We had someone come in to help us that morning as a receptionist.”
Because Brickman lives in the home her business is located in, she can be a little more accommodating than some salons where the operator doesn’t live on-site.
“I had a call from a good customer of mine who had a relative pass away. She needed her hair done for the funeral, but it was a day we are normally closed. I just came down stairs, got her fixed up, and went back upstairs,” Brickman explained.
“I’ve never had to drive to work,” Brickman added, thinking back on her 30-year career in Hokah. “And that is a big plus.”
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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