Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
HAVING A CLIP — Everett Doughty, Jr., left, gives his father a trim at his new salon “Head to Toe” in the Fishman Mall. Doughty is a licensed cosmetologist from Empire Beauty School in Bangor, who received his barber training under Jerry Adams at Hair Unlimited.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Around the July 4th holiday, Everett Doughty, Jr. celebrated the opening of his new shop “Head To Toe” in downtown Houlton.
“I decided I had enough clientele and experience that I could go on my own and open a shop,” Doughty said.
Doughty is a licensed cosmetologist from Empire Beauty School in Bangor, who received his barber training under Jerry Adams at Hair Unlimited. His shop is located in the Fishman Mall on Main Street.
“I’ve been working as a cosmetologist for the last three-and-a-half years,” explained Doughty. “I started my barber training about a year-and-a-half ago.”
Since “Head To Toe” does not have a window front because it is situated inside Fishmann Mall, Doughty has already ordered a neon sign for the front of the building to help people locate him more easily.
“I am in a sort of closed-off spot,” he said.
Though his shop is not finished, Doughty and his family have worked hard in the last few weeks to get the space ready.
“This was all rug,” he said looking toward the antiqued hardwood floor. “We ripped it up and refinished the floor.”
The “we” he is referring to is himself and his father, Everett, Sr.
“My father and I built the countertops from scratch,” Doughty said. “And the closet.”
The double closet is fashioned from pine bead-board giving it a clean, neat and shiny exterior. His brothers also helped him with the plumbing for the new shop.
“I’ve had a lot of people help me along the way,” said Doughty. “I want to say ‘thank you’ to all of them.”
Rod Thompson of Northern Maine Development Commission and Doug Dieckmann of vocational rehabilitation aided Doughty in establishing his own business.
But, Doughty is especially grateful to his parents, Barbara and Everett Doughty, Sr.
“They are my moral support,” he said. “But, everyone has helped in their own way to make this happen for me.”
Doughty began his career in Hodgdon under Julie Hogan, but wanting to be closer to town, he worked in a couple of local spots before landing his own shop.
Doughty offers haircuts for men and women, along with specializing in pedicures and manicures. Clients can sit back and enjoy a massaging chair while having a pedicure. He will also be starting a men and women’s product line, as well.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
RELAXING — Everett Doughty’s mother, Barbara, sits in the massage chair, which is used by clients who are having a pedicure at the “Head To Toe” salon. Doughty has opened his own shop in the Fishman Mall and is ready for new customers.
Doughty charges $13 for a regular haircut; senior citizens $11; flat top $14; beard trim, $5; moustache, $3; pedicure, $25; manicure, $10; polish change, $5 and wax $5.
On Saturday, Aug. 3, “Head To Toe” will be holding an open house from 10 a.m. to noon, with free coffee and Dunkin Donuts. During that day, people can sign up for free haircuts and pedicures.
With his grand opening, Doughty is running a haircut special for $10. He will again offer that special, as kids get ready to head back to school. Through the remainder of the month, pedicures will be $20.
“Head To Toe” is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In 1980, the Doughtys moved from southern Maine to Haynesville.
Doughty has a warm personality, is cheerful and loves to laugh.
“I think I am good with the general public,” he said. “You have to know how to talk to people because if you are not a people-person then this probably isn’t the line of work for you.”
