Barber Sandra clocks up ten years on Tolbooth Street, and 100,000 haircuts!

A Forres barber says it’s her versatility and low prices that have kept customers coming back year after year as she celebrates 10 years in business.

Sandra Vilnite moved to Elgin 18 years ago and always dreamed of opening her own shop to provide a better life for her kids and her dad.

“One day I spotted this shop empty and could just see my self in there, and before I knew it, my dream came true,” Sandra said.

She’s now clocked up 10 years at S Barbers in Tolbooth Street in the town, and says Forres is an amazing place to do business, and wouldn’t change it for the world.

Sandra was born in Latvia and has worked in supermarkets, farms, painting and decorating, a hotel in Guernsey, and she worked for K&M Barbershop in Elgin, before deciding to open her own business in Forres.

She also has two sons, four grandchildren, a sister, nephew and niece all living nearby, and some of them work with her in the shop.

Family-friendly

Sandra added: “I started just cutting hair on my own and now we have four people working here. I do perms and colours, ladies pin-ups and cuts which is very popular.

Thinking about what she’s seen over the past 10 years, she said: “It’s so nice to see kids and families coming to me, the kids are growing up and having children of their own – lots of first haircuts and now they’re coming in on their own for haircuts.

She reckons she’s clocked up around 100,000 haircuts in the decade: “On busy days, I can do 60 cuts a day!”

“I love that we’re able to give haircuts to all family – mum, dad, boys and trims for the daughters.

“The ladies love that they can just pop in and have a hair cut with no appointment and we try to keep the lowest prices for haircuts in area.

“No appointment is needed. We have customers coming from Elgin, Nairn, Inverness and even Buckie!

Asked about what it’s like being a business owner in Forres, Sandra said: “The people are really nice and friendly and always doing their best to help others, especially by shopping locally. I use most of shops in Forres, and it’s great for Christmas shopping!”

See who’s commented on Facebook

Other Forres business news

Lorna wins bumper £300 prize in Forres Festive Shop Local Trail

Local woman Lorna Barker walked away from Forres High Street today with more than £300 of prizes...

Darnaway duo secures £75,000 Scottish Edge funding to develop “Parkinson’s glasses”

A business duo from Darnaway who developed a pair of 'electronic trousers' have successfully attracted funding in...

Forres is the new HQ for city training company

A vacant property in the centre of town will re-open providing a new lease of life for...

Erdi is the new Turkish barber on the high street aiming to offer a ‘cut above’ the rest

A new Turkish barber has opened up a high street offering 'something different' for the young men...

Forres Crafters’ annual Christmas pop-up shop opens in Tolbooth

Forres Crafters started their pop-up shop today. The co-operative of 11 local craft businesses have joined together...

Shop local gift card is a ‘no-brainer’ says Forres retailer as numbers grow

Pictured in Forres town centre are, left to right, Laura Hanson (Babalu), Sarah Coulson (Born to Read),...

Maclean’s Bakery to open new cafe and takeaway in Forres Enterprise Park

A popular local bakery with two shops in Forres will open another this month, as it expands...

New high street deli to offer flavours of the world from Findhorn to the Middle East

A self-professed 'avid cook, baker and foodie' is taking her kitchen to the high street to open...

Film crew follow couple to Forres for BBC show Escape to the Country

Forres landmarks, residents and business people will feature in a BBC One programme that was filmed this...

Findhorn’s only hotel to change hands as Paterson family become new landlords

A Findhorn family who run a handful of businesses in the village have added yet another to...

Share this

Leave a comment