In 2006, a decade after his original salon purchase, Genray acquired the business space next to his salon, that had formally been DBA Brown Records. It gave him and extra 3000 sq ft. More space, more fun... and some problems.....
Genray and DBA Brown Records
Inside DBA Brown Records
Genray Salon taken over the record store
Inside the old record store about five months later
The original space was at 6093. It was about 1100 square feet that included four stations, two shampoo bowls, a loft that nails were done up in, and a basement where Genray actually slept on a round bed for his first year of owning the salon.
It was neon green with an Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe art piece hanging in the middle of the salon that the previous owner had left. For years, he would get Marilyn Monroe gifts for the holidays, but truth was he was more obsessed with madonna!
He tiled over the black and white checkered flooring that was so popular in the eighties and that flooring is currently still installed with barely a crack of smudge on it. He proved masterful at handy man and contractor tasks. I did not get that Home Depot gene.
What was College and Claremont like before Genray Hair Salon?
On the Corner of College and Claremont in Oakland, Ca is where three businesses currently exist. Starting with Noodle Theory, thenGenray Hair Salon, and the Claremont Rug Company. These shops have coexisted for about five years with no change. However prior to that, the corner was a whole lot different. Noodle Theory was Double Rainbow Ice Cream Parlor, The right side of the current Genray Salon was DBA Brown Records, then there was Flip A Hair Salon, then lastly Claremont Rug Company.
Try to say that five times fast!
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Address of street and the business at them in 1996. 6087 (Claremont Rug Co) 6093(Flip Salon) 6095 (DBA Records) 6099 (Double Rainbow)
Flip Salon (future Genray)
Flip Salon 2 (Future Genray)
Double Rainbow Inside
Corner of College and Claremont Double Rainbow (future Noodle Theory)
It's been four months, so hard to believe, since Genray has passed. I would love to say that people are right about that old saying, time makes things easier, but honestly I think it's a bunch of crap (with love I say that). However, what does happen, is you are able to start to embrace a new normal, one without Genray's physical self. It's not any easier, but makes you life more manageable on the richter scale of crazy. I certainly won't bore anybody with the the events I have managed in the last four months, but I can confidently say I make stressful look damn good. What I can give you is the beginning of a much needed process for me and that involves a remodel of the Oakland Salon.
Beginning on November 1, 2013 I will be embarking upon a four month remodel of Genray's Oakland salon. For me this is a gift to my staff and customers, to honor and move forward with our lives that Genray will always be a part of. I will be sharing the creative process, planning, constructions, before and afters, video interviews with the designers, and of course all the funny mishaps that will probably be my fault. There will also be really awesome details in the remodel honoring my sweet Genray. So I invite you to join our blog at www.GenrayHairSalon.blogspot.com and prepare for some exciting and surprising elements coming to our Salon. Genray would be very happy that this is going on and that I am finally getting to share some of my built up ideas.... Enjoy and celebrate Genray with me during this process....
