Difficult Times Bring Out the Best in Some

In the business community, the damaging October snow storm has created a clear and palpable division between the "haves" and the "have nots."

From gas stations, to coffee shops and restaurants, to grocery stores, those businesses that have had their power restored have been making a killing in sales, while often their competitors who don't have power, in many cases right next door, are losing money every hour they cannot be open.

For Kathy Godlewsky, owner of , that did not have to be the case. Out of power for only a day and a half, she was able to get back to work on Monday afternoon. However, when she learned another salon, Salon Vogue in Vernon, was still out of power on Wednesday, she offered a couple of empty styling chairs in her own business for Salon Vogue's stylists to keep their client appointments.

"Kelly [LaBlond, Salon Vogue's owner] was losing money by the day," said Godlewsky. "She was pretty upset, and I started thinking I have a few extra chairs, why not let them use mine?"

Godlewsky offered the use of her salon and LaBlond and her daughter, Ashley, also a stylist, took her up on the offer.

Godlewsky said LaBlond and her daughter might have felt a bit awkward at first, but the three quickly found they could work together well.

"It was incredible that [Godlewsky] would help out another business the way she did," said LaBlond. "You just don't see that much anymore. Not only did she open her doors, but she also sent her daughter out to buy all of us lunch. There's still some good people out there and Kathy is definitely one of them," LaBlond said.  

LaBlond said they got a small generator going at Salon Vogue that kept things up long enough to boot up their computer and get the names and numbers of those customers who had appointments with them.

"Most of the men said they could wait until power was restored, but many of the women were really glad that they could still have their coloring and tinting done. We gave them directions [to The Style Room] and put a note on our door where we moved to," said LaBlond.

"Our clients were so appreciative," LaBlond added.

Godlewsky said the three worked together Wednesday and Thursday, after which LaBlond found her power was restored Friday morning and she and her daughter returned to their own salon at 1225 Hartford Turnpike.

The Style Room in the same small plaza with Rock-Vern Electric. However, she said she hopes to bring on additional stylists in time.

"This was really a good test run for me to see how it feels to work with others in my salon," said Godlewsky. "The atmosphere was enjoyable and the clients felt that things were cozy and homey."