Kinsley retiring after 50 years cutting hair

By: 
Gray Hughes

After 50 years as a hairdresser and 30 years of owning Curl Up and Dye, Susan Kinsley is hanging up her scissors.

Kinsley said she provided hair care for the entire family and made many fond and interesting memories over the years.

Kinsley described her old studio as a “unique little shop.”

It has a history of being a telegraph office, then a telephone office, art gallery and an apartment, “at which point a gentleman did actually curl up and die there,” Kinsley said.

Finally, the space at 229 Elm Street in Hill City became a hair salon.

“Hair styles had many changes over those 30 years,” Kinsley said. “From roller sets and perms to blowdrying, including men’s haircuts.”

Kinsley said she was able to serve generations of families at her store over the years.

The name Curl Up and Dye brought smiles and photo opportunities to the passing public, she added.

The space where her hair studio was will remain a hair studio. Hannah Helms and her husband, Nathan, will be opening in Kinsley’s old space on Aug. 1.

Kinsley said Helms brings 16 years of experience of being a hairdresser to Hill City. Kinsley added that Helms’s new salon will be called Heart of the Hair.

In retirement, Kinsley said she will be spending time with friends and family.

But in the meantime, Kinsley is very thankful for being able to serve so many people in Hill City over the years.

“I want to extend a sincere thank you to all of my customers,” she said. “I will miss you all.”

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