The owner of La Dora Hair Salon in Redwood Plaza, Dora Robles, who has been doing hair in the Napa Valley for 34 years, is celebrated 30 years as a business owner.
After getting her state license in the mid-1960s, Robles’ first job was cutting hair at a salon in Yountville. In the late ’60s she came to Napa to work for John Miller and CeCe Miller Canepa, (who has since re-married) who had a hair salon on Jefferson Street. When the Millers moved their business to Redwood Plaza off Solano Avenue in north Napa in the early 1970s, Robles came with them.
Robles then decided to become her on boss and took over the business from the Millers in 1977. And she has been cutting men’s and women’s hair at the same location ever since.
Including Robles 13 people cut hair at La Dora Hair Salon. But in April, the salon will add two more employees.
“It’s like a hobby to me. I just enjoy cutting hair. I’ve been doing it ever since I was able to hold a comb,” Robles said. “And I like being my own boss.”
Robles has seen plenty of changes to hairstyles during her more than 30 years in business — ranging from roller sets to blow drying and curling irons, from razor cuts to scissor cuts and now to razor and scissor cuts.
“Customers today are looking for easy maintenance types of cuts,” Robles said.
Over the years, La Dora Hair Salon has also expanded the services offered.
Today the shop is a full-service, one-stop make-over center. Robles’ business offers manicures, pedicures, skin care, massage and make up: “Whatever it takes to make somebody feel good,” she added.
This time of year, La Dora Hair Salon is getting busy doing weddings, while proms are just around the corner.
“We are coming up on our busy season,” Robles said. “(My clients) are being photographed so they want to look their best.”
Recently while Redwood Plaza Shopping Center was being given a facelift, Robles decided it was time to give her shop a fresh look.
She added stations, new paint and retail displays. “We totally changed the look. With the shopping center being remodeled we did some remodeling of our own,” Robles said.
It took about three months to complete the renovation, which had to be done between working hours.
La Dora Hair Salon is sometimes open on Mondays, but the normal hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. until the last customer is taken care of. “We do accept walk-ins, but reservations are best,” she said.
What is the secret of the success for La Dora Hair Salon?
“It’s my employees who are working for me and the Napa Valley customers for being so loyal,” Robles said.
On the anniversary of La Dora Hair Salon, Robles’ employees had a surprise party for her at the shop.
There are three employees with more than 20 years at La Dora: Pam Knopp at 23 years, Vicki Mullins, 22 years and Sharon Durante, 20 years.
There are several employees who have been with Robles at least 10 years.
Other dedicated employees include: Janet Pacheco, Denise Hampton, Kris Clark, Troy Miller, Katie Alberda, Renee Statzer, Debbie Wright and Nancy James.
When not working at the Redwood Plaza hair salon, Robles enjoys spending time with her two grandsons and granddaughter — who live in the Napa area.
• Name: La Dora Hair Salon
• Contact: 3371 Solano Ave. in Redwood Plaza
• Years in business: 30 years
March 17, 2007
Business Benchmarks: La Dora Hair Salon
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