AT HOME WITH... Sherry Loesch

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)

July 23, 2005

Author:  SUSAN FADEM

Special to the Post-Dispatch

REVIVING A tradition not prevalent for years, Sherry Loesch of Ferguson plans to live above her family business -- in her case the Ferguson Style Shoppe, a hair salon and spa.

On Sept. 1 she expects to reopen her present 300-square-foot shop in quadrupled footage at 809 South Florissant Road, where she has been residing and renovating for nearly a year. Loesch was joined in business two years ago by one of her daughters, hairstylist Mackenzie Hoffmann. Another daughter, Ange (pronounced AN-gee) Clairr Hoffmann, has signed up to start nail-technology school next month, and then plans to become part of the family business.

Q What gave you the idea to live above your shop?

A Divorced and as a single mom on a single income (the youngest of her four children, Katie Hartmann, 13, lives with her), I never imagined I could buy my own building and pull together something so grandiose. But several of the Ferguson business owners encouraged me. We're a very close-knit group.

The minute I walked in this building, which has 1,200 square feet on each floor, I knew I could make it work. And it was funny; I was on the stairs, walking up to the second floor for the first time, when my cell phone rang. It was an Italian hair-dye company I hadn't heard from in two months, offering me a job as an educator with a starting salary of $80,000 a year. I immediately told them, "I'm not interested."

Q What was the building like when you bought it?

A Horrendous. There had been a graphic designer working here, and he basically had computers everywhere. He lived on the second floor, but it was all so run-down. I removed two layers of wallpaper and redid the upstairs myself. Downstairs, I've gotten a lot of help from a lot of wonderful people. It's funny. I never looked at myself as being all that fantastic of a person, but when you look at the people who want to step forward and help you, you know that somehow you must have had an impact.

Q What's your philosophy of decorating?

A I'm very into ambience. I've never had expensive furniture or anything extravagant. But I've always been told I know how to put it all together.

Q What about your combination bedroom and office?

A Everything I need is in this room, including my computer and treadmill. I do two to three miles every morning on the treadmill. It makes me more energetic and optimistic. I enjoy the physical challenge of pushing myself. I do in my daily life, too.

The steps behind the folding screen lead down to the salon. I love plants. I would have many more in here, but the thing I'm lacking is windows, and that's been the hardest thing for me to come to terms with. I'm starting to price skylights to bring in more light. The hanging beads in the doorway -- I'm an old hippie at heart.

Q Beyond all the family pictures, what are some favorite objects?

A The hope chest in my living room is dear to my heart. I've had it for over 20 years. I used to store bedding in it. Now I keep my winter shoes and jeans inside. I put foam pillows on top for extra seating.