The Centre Shops loses David Gregory Salon

At its peak in the 1990s, Longboat Key housed seven hair salons on the island, catering to the needs of year-round and part-time residents. Now, that number is dwindling to one with the closing of David Gregory Salon at The Centre Shops.

Friends reminisced about the shop's history on the Key on June 27, and owners David Roy and Greg Koss shared how the decision they made was difficult but made sense.

"It was time for us to move on," said Roy, who has been a stylist for 38 years.

Koss added, "Our lease came up for renewal, and every time that happens, you have to weigh everything and decide if you want to commit to another. From a business perspective, this was a no-brainer. But if you factor in the people and the relationships, it was still a very hard decision. It's hard to walk away."

Photo by Dana Kampa

The salon served patrons right until the day of the farewell get-together in Suite 103 at 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

"I had one client today whose hair I started cutting when I was 26 years old, and she's still coming to me," Roy said.

He said the salon's success over the years came down to having great staff. Koss added the high season always brought a chaotic atmosphere, but the stylists kept everything moving and created a fun getaway, whether a client is seeking a new hairstyle for a special occasion or looking to catch up on all the island updates from while they were away.

"Clients like the energy," Koss said. "They come in and see their neighbors and friends. It becomes more like a community center at times."

Koss said they quickly established the salon as a "no drama zone" when it came to helping clients.

The salon navigated any challenges that came its way, even providing stylists with Design 2000 space to work when that store sustained significant hurricane damage last year.

Roy and Koss said they've appreciated building a strong relationship with the fellow salon and other community businesses rather than focusing on competition.

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Stylist Michael Stransky Nunes, who worked with the salon for 10 years, said that warmth extended among the staff at the shop. While stylists in other salons may become possessive of their customers, he said the David Gregory Salon team enjoyed helping one another and sharing clients.

The longtime Florida resident specializes in cuts and coloring services, and he does plan to stay in the area at least through the winter. He got his start in the business in Lakeland about 25 years ago, and he knew from a young age he always wanted to be a stylist.

He said working at David Gregory Salon has been a rewarding chapter in his career. 

"There are always big personalities in a salon, and we lucked out that we had a good flow here," he said.

He appreciated building years-long relationships with clients. In particular, he remembers a 12-year-old customer who got her first layered haircut with him.

"Her grandma was a client here, and she eventually started coming here," he said. "She even sent me a letter later and told me how much the cut meant to her, making her feel more grown up. I just love my clients, and I hope to see them again."

Stransky Nunes is one of several stylists moving to Design 2000, and owner Irina LaRose said she is happy to welcome them. Fellow stylists Victoria Simko and Robert Barney are also making the shift.

LaRose has watched as the salon scene has shifted over time, from the seven on-island locations at the peak. Design 2000 has operated at Whitney Beach Plaza since 1994.

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While Koss is considering a career shift, potentially to the nonprofit sector, Roy plans to stay in the styling world. He is renting a chair with Hair At Palm Aire at 5891 Whitfield Avenue, and he plans to offer a wide variety of styling services. Call 941-228-8185 for information on bookings.

While he will miss the salon, Roy said he does look forward to practicing his craft without juggling the responsibilities of running a small business, particularly amid rising property rates and other expenses. Even though the shop was spared significant damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton, Roy said future storm threats were also a factor in their decision.

Regardless, the pair is proud of what they've offered the community over the years, from their regular services to involvement with initiatives like The Paradise Center's walk to support breast cancer research.

Koss and Roy, who met 27 years ago through friends to rollerblade around St. Armands Circle, planned to take home the David Gregory Salon sign, which they will hang in their garage. But beyond that, they took with them many pleasant memories of working at The Centre Shops.

On July 4, they will celebrate 14 years of marriage.

Future plans for the space are yet to be confirmed, but Roy and Koss said it would be a good opportunity for another salon owner.