Just because the state’s financial picture isn’t very rosy these days doesn’t mean people shouldn’t still look their absolute best or enjoy a relaxing round of golf.
Two local businesses ? Sisters? Hair Care in downtown Oxford and Copper Hills Golf & Country Club in Addison Township ? are offering special deals to those who’ve been negatively impacted by the current economic downturn.
Right now, Sisters is willing to ‘make a deal? with customers regarding the prices of their haircuts and chemical services (such as coloring and perms) as long as the clients are able to provide tangible proof of financial hardship.
‘We would like to give back to the community,? said Blanche Kenny, who co-owns the 19 N. Washington St. salon with her sister Chrystal Warfield. ‘We know times are tough for almost everybody.?
For those clients who bring in valid documentation of their unemployment status (i.e. pink slips, layoff notices, documentation they’re receiving state benefits, etc.) or loss of retirement savings, the salon is willing to charge them ‘whatever they can afford,? according to Kenny.
Besides helping people, Kenny and Warfield are hoping the offer will ‘stimulate our business, too.?
‘In hard times you’ve got to make money,? Kenny said. ‘We’re just trying to think of things.?
Sister’s Hair Care is also offering free haircuts to active duty servicemen and women in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Over in Addison, Copper Hills (2125 Lakeville Rd.) is trying to help unemployed folks out by offering 18 holes of golf for only $25 Monday through Friday.
‘People are still going to play,? said Copper Hills Golf Professional Michael Seavey. ‘We’ve had some people that still wanted to do it and that price was low enough to make it an option.?
Normally, a round of golf at Copper Hills costs $35 right now and $42 during the season. So, $25 is a pretty good deal.
‘We just tried to pick a number that would be much lower than what people traditionally pay,? Seavey said. ‘We know it’s hard for people to play golf when you’re paying $40 or $50.?
In order to take advantage of the special offer, Seavey said people can pay for their golf using the debit card issued by the state through which unemployment benefits are disbursed.
People without one of these debit cards can still take advantage of the golf deal by either presenting an unemployment check stub or a printed statement from MARVIN, the automated network which allows users to interact with the state Unemployment Insurance Agency’s computer system.
Although only a few unemployed golfers have utilized the special discount, mainly due to ever-changing weather conditions, Seavey said the offer has generated much interest.
‘We’re getting a lot of phone calls on it from people passing by (who see the sign),? Seavey said.
‘We haven’t set an end-date yet (on the special). That will depend on the response and feedback we get from people.?