A perfect fit: Daughters of beloved Mount Prospect shoe repairman open hair salon

The name DeAngelo is associated with shoe repair, most notably Al’s Shoe Service, which owner Larry DeAngelo runs out of the Mount Prospect train station.

Now, DeAngelo’s daughters, Angela and Alexandria, are carrying on the family name, but in an entirely different line of work. Instead of trimming soles and heels, they trim heads.

The sisters held a grand opening this week for their hair salon, DeAngelo’s Hair & Beauty Lounge at 652 N. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge.

The duo is taking over a more than 20-year-old business, Michael Vaughan Hair Design. Owner Debbie Vaughan closed the business earlier this year, deciding to retire. Her husband Michael died in 2019.

Angela was the receptionist for almost 20 years, sharing time at the front desk with Debbie.

The sisters were unwilling, however, to let the book close on the business. They opened up a new chapter, deciding to continue the business together.

“My sister and I have been blessed with an opportunity of a lifetime when an unexpected door unlocked itself for us,” Angela said.

The two are inspired by their mother, Liberty, who died two years ago and also went to beauty school. A picture of a butterfly, symbolizing their mom — who was also a longtime client — is the lounge’s logo.

Angela has the expertise to carry on the business. She has gone back to school to become an esthetician, learning how to give facials, so the salon will be offering facials and other services.

She has been in the salon industry for more than 25 years after going to beauty school — she did not finish, making her, yes, a beauty school dropout.

She also learned the ropes of the operation from Debbie Vaughan.

“Over the many years of working side by side with Debbie, she became more than just my boss. She became my friend, my mentor, my support and my belief,” Angela said.

For Alexandria, who has years of management experience, her reason for joining in the venture is simple.

“I just wanted to help my sister and the stylists here,” she said. “I didn’t want my sister to have to take this adventure on her own. We’re a good team. We balance each other out. I’m just kind of working the business end, and she’s the queen of the front desk, running the salon.”

The salon’s employees are happy with the change.

“I'm very thankful that I get to stay here and work,” stylist Jackie Larucci said. “I didn't want to go to another salon.”

The sisters held a grand opening Tuesday, with food and also music from their father, who played the flute for guests.

Larry DeAngelo said his daughters were helpful to him during the COVID period. At the time, Larry boosted his business by selling handmade leather crosses, and a vegan cross necklace made out of rubber soles from Italy. The idea, he said, came from his daughters, who remembered the crosses as a childhood gift.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” he said of the salon. “They’re hardworking kids, and I know they can make it work.”