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Transitioning the family business
Vergo Salon Spa in Lincolnwood is dedicated to providing a warm and welcoming environment and tailors their services to each client's needs. | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media
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What: Vergo Salon Spa
Where: 6706 N. Crawford Ave. in Lincolnwood
Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 847-675-2720
Online: www.vergosalon.com
Article Extras
Updated: January 21, 2013 1:56AM
LINCOLNWOOD — As a young boy, Peter Vergos developed an early fascination with the beauty industry 25 years ago while watching his mom style, cut and color hair at her Lincolnwood beauty salon.
Since taking over Vergo Salon Spa from his mom Georgia Vergos in 2005, Vergos has focused on transforming the family business from a mom-n-pop-style beauty salon into a modern-day salon spa offering all the latest services and techniques in the cosmetology industry.
Vergo Salon has been serving Lincolnwood residents at the strip mall at Crawford and Lincoln, 6706 N. Crawford Ave., since 1987.
Q: When did you decide to follow in your mother’s footsteps and go into the beauty industry?
A: When I was a kid I would watch my mom do hair for hours and I was fascinated. I thought it was something I would be good at, so I went to cosmetology school right after high school. I took a job as a stylist at the Steven Papa George Salon in Evanston and worked there for 13 years before I took over Vergo Salon.
Q: What changes did you make to the salon when you bought it?
A: I bought the empty storefront space next door and expanded into a 2,200-square-foot space to accommodate for the addition of a full-service spa area. I’ve been focused on making it more of a modern-day salon than just a beauty shop. We still have our older clientele, who we call the “once-a-week ladies,” but we’re making it more hip by hiring younger people to work here and making sure we’re always on top of the latest trends in hair.
Q: Is your mom still involved in the business?
A: My mom started the business on her own more than two decades ago, and was very successful. She still does hair, but I don’t think she would have continued to keep the salon open if I hadn’t come in and taken over.
Q: How is Vergo different from other salons in the area?
A: It’s comfortable and relaxed in here. We hire the most experienced technicians to assure our clients receive the best service and we always work hard to make sure our customers leave happy.
Q: What has been the secret for you and your mother to running and maintaining a successful local small business over the years?
A: It helps to have good people working for you. We have 15 dedicated employees who are in line with our vision for the business. Also, because I grew up in the Skokie/Lincolnwood area, a lot of clients come in because they know me. I went to Niles West High School, and many of my old classmates come in to get their hair done. Since expanding, we’ve seen a spike in business because more clients are coming in for the spa services.
Q: What are some of your more popular services?
A: We do hair extensions, which a lot of salons still don’t offer yet. We also do a great Keratin hair smoothing treatment.
Q: Do you have any specials?
A: First-time clients receive 25 percent off all services.
