Dave’s Barbershop reopened under new name and owner
It had been more than two years since customers walked through the doors of Dave’s Barbershop in Granton, but after some brief remodeling these past few months, the business is open again with a new name, a new look, and a new face behind the chair.
Now named Fades and Foils Hair Studio, the little business at 212 Maple St. reopened for business Aug. 1. Shannon Gunther is operating the studio and will be offering services such as haircuts, facial waxing, hair coloring and other hair-care needs. Already on her first day of business, Gunther saw a good sign of support from the community.
“On the first day, I was fully booked,” she said. “The Granton Rotary even came down to check in and see the building. There were a lot of old stories they were telling that day.”
Though she’s not a Granton native, Gunther is tied up in the legacy of Dave’s Barbershop. After it was built in 1956, the small building was owned and operated by its namesake, Dave Lavey, for more than 40 years before he sold the barbershop to Candace Andrews, who then operated the business with Dave staying on until 2012 when he retired. Andrews continued on for several years afterwards, finally closing down in May 2021 after 65 years of business when no one could be found to continue it. That situation changed after Gunther met her fiancé, who is Andrews’ nephew.
“I met my fiancé and he lives in Marshfield,” she said. “I ended up moving here. I was in Wisconsin Rapids and before that, Appleton, so I’m not from too far from here.”
Before moving to Marshfield, Gunther said she had gained plenty of experience in hair care. She graduated from hair school back in 2012 and from there learned the trade at different salons. She started with women’s hair before graduating to taking care of men’s hair in 2015, which she did for the next several years.
“I started with women’s hair and did that for a few years,” she said. “Then I did just men’s cuts and I did that for six or seven years, and took a few years off of doing hair before coming here.”
The call to work in the hair business again brought Gunther back and drove her to remodel the old barbershop. Creating hairstyles and helping people feel happy about their appearance, as well as the connections a stylist establishes with their customers, are some of the most appealing parts of the job to Gunther.
“I think it’s just like the practice, the connection you get with people. Doing hair and making people feel good. I have always believed that if you look good, you feel good. It’s just kind of bringing your ideas to life and putting your personal touch on stuff.”
As for the future of the business, Gunther said it is her hope that Fades and Foils Hair Studio will be a pillar in the Granton community for years to come, just as Dave’s Barbershop was before it.
“I’m looking forward to just being able to serve the community and being close by for anyone to use,” she said.
Fades and Foils Hair Studio is open Tuesday through Friday each week. On Tuesdays and Fridays, it is open from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. while on Wednesdays and Thursdays, it is open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Appointments can be made by phone at 920-376-4948 or on its website, fadesandfoilshairstudio.square.site/. For more information about the products and services offered, check out the website or Facebook page.
CHEYENNE THOMAS/STAFF PHOTO
