A.C. Hair Design expands to larger Libertyville shop

In celebrating her 12th year in business, Ana Campos recently moved to a larger salon in Libertyville.

When Campos started A.C. Hair Design in 1995, she had one stylist working with her. About three months ago, the business owner moved to a larger space at 333 Peterson Road and now has 14 stylists, a nail technician and two part-time receptionists.

The larger salon, located next to Austin's restaurant, is brighter and features a tanning bed, a separate room where women can wait while having their hair colored, and a larger waiting area.

"I'm providing a better environment for the customers and the stylists," said Campos, who resides in Grayslake.

When starting her business, Campos was on the cutting edge of a growing industry trend. Instead of hiring stylists to work directly for her, Campos offers booth rental. This essentially means that the stylists are independent contractors who set their own hours and pricing and bring their clients with them.

Campos said the concept works very well. Many of the stylists at her salon have been with her for years.

"It allows the girls to be independent," Campos said.

Campos started her career in the hair industry later than most stylists. She didn't go to beauty school until after she was married and had children. The petite Campos worked in a factory before switching careers.

"I was a forklift driver at a factory," she says with a laugh. Campos said she found that there was no room to move up at the company she was working for at the time.

She quit the job and while giving her brother, Jose, a haircut, she decided to go to beauty school. "My brother gets free haircuts for life now," she jokes.

Campos was born in Columbia, South America, where she lived for 12 years before immigrating here. She lived with her three brothers, sister and parents in Round Lake Park.

Campos and her husband, Daniel, a transmission specialist, have two children, Maritza, 21, and Daniel, 19.

In running the salon, Campos enjoys providing a family atmosphere. "We work as a team. We look out for each other. I try to make it as nice possible for everyone," she added.

For more information, call (847) 367-7866.

Wine warehouse sale: Cafe Pyrenees in Libertyville is holding its Wild Wine Warehouse Sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 18.

The newly renovated restaurant is in the Adler Square Shopping Plaza, just east of Milwaukee Avenue on the south side of Peterson Road.

The sale offers reduced wine prices for holiday sale, according to owner Mari Loustanau. The wine is priced from $4 to $12 a bottle.

The business, established in 1990, features an expanded retail wine shop and renovated tasting room, as well as traditional French dishes with Spanish, Chinese and Italian influence.

For more information, check out www.cafepyrenees.com.