MINDEMOYA—When Deborah Karn first opened her shop – Deb’s Unisex – in Mindemoya, before she married, she was Debbie Carrick and her very first client was her grandmother, Gladys Williamson. That was in April of 1979, recorded for posterity in The Manitoulin Expositor, complete with photograph. Ms. Karn has a copy of the article still.
“I started in 1979, first across the street from Mum’s Restaurant. I was there for 22 years.” Ms. Karn said. She then moved on to another spot for four years, then bought the house across from Island Foodland, at 10 Yonge Street, 20 years ago. “I’ve been a hairdresser for 48 years but have owned my own business for 46-and-a-half years.”
Over the decades Ms. Karn has seen many hairstyles come and go. Many of her clients have been with her from the beginning. She proudly admitted to wearing heels every day, “I’m short,” she said with a laugh. But in the last year she could no longer wear the heels she loved because of a knee problem. Standing all day, every day for decades will take its toll on the body. “I’m probably the oldest hairdresser on the Island,” she mused. “That’s scary to say,” and she laughed again.
Despite her decades’ long career, Ms. Karn is a youthful soul with lots of energy. “It’s been great. I loved it, and I miss it, but I have five grandchildren and my kids all live on the Island, so I’m busy with them,” she explained. Ms. Karn has three sons, two live in Little Current and one lives in Mindemoya.
Her family came to her shop on her last day, a fitting end and a tribute to her long career which began with her grandmother as the first client in her chair, and ended with her youngest granddaughter, Jade, sitting in her chair as her last customer.
A retirement party was held for Ms. Karn at the Curling Club in Mindemoya the last weekend of September. Her family arranged it, inviting former clients and community members. “It was a very big surprise for me,” she said. “I did not know about it. Now the shop is closed, the business is closed down,” Ms. Karn said. “I would like to thank all my people who supported me through the years. It was a great career, lots of people and lots of fun,” she said with a hint of nostalgia in her voice. Now she begins a new chapter and, with five grandchildren close by, she will indeed be very busy.
Best wishes, Deborah Karn, there is no doubt Mindemoya will miss Deb’s Unisex.
by Margery Frisch
