Free haircuts a chance to give back to Wheaton

When Fete Demiri was a young girl growing up in Macedonia, she says she often looked at what other children had and wondered why she could not have the same thing. When she moved to the U.S. 23 years ago, she vowed that she would give her two children everything they wanted, even if friends say she spoiled them.

In 2008, about one year after she opened a hair salon in Wheaton, Demiri says she wanted to extend that giving spirit during the holidays to the community, especially to those who may be in the same situation she was in as a girl. For the third year in a row on Sunday, Demiri Hair Stylists gave away free haircuts to anyone for the day.

“When you want something and you can't have it, that hurts you,” said Demiri, who opened the salon in September of 2007. “We can give something to people who need it.”

For four hours on what is usually a day off for the salon, employees volunteered their time and took care of anyone who came in free of charge. Although the overall turnout trailed previous years and disappointed Demiri, who said she wanted the salon to have a line out the front door, she said ultimately the customer who came in early and told her that the freebie made him happy made the day worth it.

“They make my day when I see those people,” she said. “All my days are brighter when I get those people.”

Dan Deal said he appreciated the care and attention the stylists gave to his haircut, despite the fact that they were being given away. Deal was one of many customers who called ahead on Friday to make sure the “rumor” of free haircuts was the true.

His niece, Carrie Bach, joined him on Sunday and said she was surprised to see a business giving away their services with such a down economy.

“It's a nice thing they are doing,” she said. “People usually don't give away free stuff.”

With a man dressed as Santa Claus, holiday music flowing through the salon and a basket full of gifts Demiri brought to give to children who arrived, the salon had a festive feel throughout the day.

Add in the free haircuts, which typically cost $5, and Bach said it was a nice departure from the usual bad news of the day.

“The economy is bad and when people see free stuff, they might be suspicious,” she said. “But they are just good people.”