By Shirley Shuman
Scheduled for a grand opening from 3:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. October 18, Brianna Hoover-Tennant’s new business, Appalachian Beauty Bar, was actually quite busy last week, according to the owner. Located at 95 Airport Road, Sutton, the beauty bar is open from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The shop will also open on Saturday for wedding and prom appointments.
Hoover-Tennant has practiced cosmetology four and one-half years, and all of that work has been in Legg’s Beauty Shop in Gassaway. The cosmetologist, who graduated from Clarksburg Beauty Academy, credits Legg’s Beauty Shop owner-operator Sammie Cogar for her progress as a cosmetologist. “I want to thank Sammy for allowing me to develop my career and build my business at her shop,” she said.
In addition to Hoover-Tennant, workers at Appalachian Beauty Bar will include cosmetologist Terri Miller, nail technician Nancy Stewart-Cook and cosmetologist Madison Rollyson, a permanent makeup artist who specializes in microblading. Miller has 24 years’ experience, and Stewart-Cook has 13. Hoover-Tennant explained future additions to her crew. “I’m planning to bring in three cosmetologists who will graduate from beauty school in early 2025. I’ll be teaching them as they work. There is so much to learn in this industry,” she said.
Opening a new business takes much time and effort as Brianna Hoover-Tennant has learned. However, she has been quite fortunate to have had plenty of support, and she is quick to acknowledge that support. “I am so blessed by my parents and other family members and friends. Without them, I could never have done this,” she said. “They’ve really set me up for success.”
Much of that blessing apparently came from her father and mother and family friends. Her father, Rob Hoover, explained how the building for Appalachian Beauty Bar came to be. Hoover said, “Cindy (Hoover-Tennant’s mother) and I purchased property between Laurel Court Go-Mart and Pete’s Bait Ranch and planned to do something with it,” he said.
Continuing, Hoover explained that their daughter “wanted to go out on her own and asked about putting her shop on that land.” He added, “Cindy and I thought that would be a good opportunity to do something with the property so we agreed that she could do it. Then I did what a father would do. I went to my buddies… we’ve all helped each other with projects over the years… and said, ‘I want to build a building for my daughter.’ I also wondered with them if we had one more building in us. After all, we’re all 60-plus years old!”
Those who took part in the project which they began in May were Greg Frame, Troy Dennison, James Bender, Raymond Denuzzio, Hoover’s brother Joe, and Gary Tennant, Hoover’s son-in-law. Hoover did the plumbing and, with advice from others, also did the electrical work. He referred to James Bender as “a jack of all trades,” and expressed his appreciation for the hard work they all did.
After all the planning and work, Appalachian Beauty Bar is open for business. Owner Brianna Hoover-Tennant invites everyone to the Grand Opening where they can enjoy snacks and drinks, take part in a raffle for a gift of beauty products, and become acquainted with the workers.