Grondin's Hair Center

Forty years ago, Carl Grondin opened his first barbershop in a grain elevator in Dryden. Grondin's is no longer a Dryden barbershop. Today, they operate 53 salons, employing over 300 stylists and managers, and also own a college of cosmetology. The success story all began in 1966 when Carl went to barber college and started working in Southfield. After Paul left the Army, he thought the barbering business looked good, so he went to college to learn the profession. In 1969, the brothers opened a barbershop in their hometown, Dryden. But as trends changed, they didn't let the new hair revolution pass them by. "This was the peak time for men to let their hair grow long, and unisex salons were just coming into being," Carl said. In a period of 3 years, over 6,000 traditional barber shops in Michigan had closed. The new trends called for hairstyling, so the Grondin's went back to school to update their skills. "Our business became of men and women, 50/50," Carl said. Soon business had grown, and many clients were coming from Lapeer area, so they opened a shop in Lapeer. Paul stayed at the Dryden location, eventually to open a salon in Imlay City. In 1976 Carl decided to move to California. He joined a franchise company and managed a barbershop at the St. Francis Hotel. In one year he purchased the salon and became a franchisee, 3 years later he opened his second franchise in Petaluma, California, and learned about the multiple salon operations. During this time Paul, brother Joe and sister Shirley had started Grondin's, Inc. Then after 6 years, Carl moved his family back to Dryden to join the business.

Since taking on full ownership, Carl & Paul have had the company at a fast pace. There are 53 salons stretching as far north as Petoskey, south to Saline and all points in between. We have had such a remarkable progress because our goals have never changed. We provide the best possible service, with all the best trained, highest paid employees, for the fairest possible price and the best locations. Grondin's does things differently. Their employees are paid a guaranteed wage plus a commission. A stylist performance is gauged, not on how quickly customers are pushed out the door but on how many customers come back. As a stylist performance record improves, promotions are granted. They offer health insurance, paid vacations and profit sharing. Grondin's offers family owned, family oriented service, senior citizen discount rates and convenient hours. They serve men, women and children of all ages. Grondin's College of Cosmetology, one of the newest schools in Michigan offers the latest technology at its Lapeer location.