The Beauty Vault vaunted by many

MONROEVILLE — Styles and tastes have drastically changed over the past half-century. But Marcia Adelman represents a constant presence in the fast-moving, ever-evolving world of fashion, witnesses and embracing 50 years' worth of trends. While talented, it's not her skillset as to why she's successfully owned a small business in a quaint village — The Beauty Vault in Monroeville — for five decades running now. "It's because she is one of the most genuine people ever, and others notice that about her," said Arlene Downing, Marcia's friend, who's received hair services at The Beauty Vault for more than 20 years. "Anyone who comes to see her, you are made to feel very special," Downing said. "You are not just a customer. You are a friend. You are valued. You matter to her." Many view The Beauty Vault as a community pillar. Few other businesses have stayed in operation longer. And no other woman has run a business for more years in Monroeville than Marcia. As Marcia celebrates her milestone work anniversary, she and others reflected on this accomplishment. Humble beginnings In late 1973, fresh out of beauty school, a young Marcia began working at The Beauty Vault. Before relocating across Main Street, in 1991, this business operated in a building now home to Old Soul Woodworking. Then on June 1, 1974, Marcia took over the salon from former owners Cindy Hay and Virginia Johnson. "It was just a case of being in the right spot at the right time," said Marcia, who's originally from Willard but now lives in Monroeville. "Owning a salon was not in my head when I was young and getting out of beauty school." Marcia credited her dad, Donald Capelle, for providing a necessary confidence boost to pursue what would be a life-changing opportunity. "I didn't really know what I wanted to do, and he said, 'Well, you do your sister's hair. You do your grandma's hair. Why not think about doing hair there?'" Upon getting her start, Marcia recalls doing a lot of "teasing and updo" styles. This then shifted to more people getting perms as well as men coming in for their mullets and afros. "Then everything went to straight, and now we are working with so many different coloring styles," Marcia said. "To stay current, I'd often go to all-day seminars in Cleveland, Toledo and Columbus. It helped with getting those continued education hours so we knew and could stay up on the latest trends." If she didn't, then The Beauty Vault would not have lasted 50 years, Marcia said. It would have become outdated, fallen out of favor with locals and, thus, obsolete. "You can't become stagnant. It's not an option in our industry," Marcia said. "When you own a business, you always need to change what you are doing to stay relevant and fresh. Even if it's new paint on the walls, you have to keep finding ways to reinvent yourself. It's so important." Family support For the past few years, on a weekly basis, The Beauty Vault has welcomed about 150 clients. They receive services ranging from haircuts to tanning and nails. Among the shop's staunchest supporters: Dave Adelman, who's Marcia's husband. Dave's mother, Ruth, first received haircuts from Marcia in the early 1970s. Dave, due to a mere mistake, then followed in 1979. "I was having my dad cut my hair and then went to a barber in Norwalk and forgot the appointment, so mom told me to come down here," Dave said on a recent day, sitting beside Marcia in one of the styling chairs. Marcia then chimed in but not before smiling and pointing to Dave's head, noting he shaves his head these days. "His hair was long. He wore a mullet at one point and had burgundy hair," Marcia said. "We met all because of his mom." In 1981, two years after their first meeting, the pair got married, resulting in two children, Emily and Seth, along with four grandchildren. Marcia heaped praise onto Dave for allowing her to work long days, nights and weekends. She often skipped family functions and other personal obligations to place her customers' needs above her own. "He has been very flexible to let me work as hard as I can and as much as I do," she said. Dave responded, saying, "I'm happy to do it. I'm happy for her." Employer-employee bond As is the case with many businesses, salons often see a revolving door of employees with workers coming and going. The Beauty Vault, however, bucks the trend. Marcia has only employed about 20 people over her 50-year tenure. "The people that I have work here, they stay," she said. "I take that as a huge compliment." Kendra Smithson represents her longest-tenured employee at 26 years. "She is very easy to get along with and, from that, she has created a really fun atmosphere there," said Smithson, who first visited The Beauty Vault as a child, going there for haircuts. "It's the main reason why we are more like family than anything else." Smithson also views Marcia as a role model, often asking her for pointers and tips so clients can leave satisfied. "Anytime I doubt myself, she always helps me get through my situation," Smithson said. "It's with that patient, caring and kind personality that has made her so successful. I can't imagine working anywhere else. This is my dream job, working alongside Marcia." Community-minded individual In a tucked-away room, just a few feet from the nail tables and salon chairs, customers can find a pseudo shrine to Monroeville Schools. The Beauty Vault serves as the leading outerwear shop to purchase gear so people can root for the Eagles. "I've always had a positive relationship with the schools," Marcia said. "It's important to support the school and the community. They have supported me for all this time. And, because of that, I feel compelled to give back." Additionally, The Beauty Vault has sponsored local youth baseball teams, the public library, 5Ks and other efforts. And Marcia herself constantly volunteers. Most notably, she serves on the village's planning commission. She also puts on shows at the local community theater and teaches music for Vacation Bible School at Trinity Lutheran Church. "She is always part of the community," Downing said. "She's always going above and beyond for everyone else. It's the reason why she's genuinely liked by so many in our community." Those running the government also took notice of her generosity, publicly acknowledging her virtuous nature. "I'm very proud of Marcia achieving her 50th anniversary as owner of The Beauty Vault," Monroeville Mayor Joe Galea said. "In a village full of women entrepreneurs, Marcia is a true pioneer and trailblazer and an asset to the community, too," Galea said. "The Beauty Vault spans the past, present and future of our downtown business district, and it's impossible to imagine Monroeville without The Beauty Vault or Marica. Congratulations, Marcia." How much longer? Now at her 50-year career benchmark, the question Marcia gets asked more than anything else goes something like this: "How much longer do you want to work?" "I don't know," Marcia said. "As long as my health is good, I will keep doing it." Compared to her first day, she still takes great pride in getting up early, cutting hair and, most importantly, making people feel good about themselves. "They always say, 'It's not work if you enjoy what you are doing,' and I've enjoyed every day of it," Marcia said. While Marcia thanked Downing for calling her genuine, there's another prevailing reason regarding The Beauty Vault's many accomplishments. She then shared the secret. "It's the trust I have with people," Marcia said. "They always say as soon as you touch the head, then people relax with you." Many consider Marcia more than a hair stylist and business owner. She's a confidant needed by many in life. "People tell me their secrets and share with me their struggles and challenges, and all I do is listen. That's what many people want most: someone who will listen," she said. "A lot of people don't have anyone else in their life that will. Some have become widows. Some are just alone. It's important for me to know that I am there for anyone that comes to me." It's the foundation for why her oldest customers came to her first as girls then young women then mothers and then, even for some, grandmothers — and then their daughters and granddaughters followed, all getting their hair done by Marcia. "I always try to put the customer first. And, with many, they keep coming back, generation after generation, "Marcia said. "When I do leave one day, that's what I'll miss most: The people. They become more than your clients. They become your friends. They become your family. They are my family."