East Troy hair salon marks a half-century serving the public
By Tracy Ouellette
Editor
Magic Touch Hair Styling in East Troy is celebrating its 50th birthday this month. It is the longest-running business on the Historic Downtown Square with the original owner, Kathleen Omsgaard.
The hair salon, which started under the name JK Hairstyling in 1963, relocated to its current location at 2882 Main St. in November of 1969 when its original location was torn down. According to Omsgaard, Whitman’s Food Store was going out of business and she moved her salon into that building.
In the early 1970s it was renamed Magic Touch.
Omsgaard, who took a leave of absence in June, is still involved with the salon, but not cutting hair at the moment. She leaves that to her two long-time stylists Tammy Brewer and Amber Bry, who have been with Magic Touch for 35 and 7 years respectively.
“It’s like we’re lifers,” says Bry.
Brewer, who lives in Troy Center, says she came to Magic Touch when the Mukwonago salon she was working at couldn’t give her full-time hours and Omsgaard could. She is celebrating her 35th anniversary with the salon in November as well.
“I only worked there about six months,” she says. “Just out of school about six months. I never left.”
Both Brewer and Bry say working for Omsgaard over the years has been a joy.
“We’ve always considered us like a great big family here,” says Bry. “You don’t find that anywhere else.”
Omsgaard is enjoying her “semi-retirement” at the moment, spending time with family and friends. “The girls are doing such a great job for me when I’m not here my husband said as long as it’s working, I might as well retire.”
But she’s not quite there yet. Still involved in operations, she recently redecorated and had new flooring installed.
“I just redecorated and put in a new wood-look floor along with new styling chairs and some other touches,” Omsgaard explains. “It’s the fourth time I’ve changed the décor and flooring over the years.”
It’s just one more way she shows her love of the business and the community.
“She’s very devoted to this place; she’s very caring about everybody,” continues Bry. “She shows it in everything she does. She’s always got your back.”
“That’s why we say,” she continues. “You’ll never find another boss like her.”
Omsgaard lives in East Troy with her husband Craig, they have been married for 38 year and have two children, Ted and Janeen (Jeff), and two grandchildren, Cole, 10, and Mason, 7.
Omsgaard celebrated her 70th birthday with family and friends at the salon with a party recently, which was organized by Bry and Brewer.
“We had over 70 people here,” she says.
“It was a very nice turnout,” adds Brewer.
Special offer
Magic Touch Hair Styling is located at 2882 Main St. on the East Troy downtown square.
In honor of the salon’s birthday, the salon is offering a 15 percent discount Nov. 1-15, just mention the offer when making an appointment by calling (262) 642-3411.
