By Thomas J. Sullivan–
Not everyone is blessed with good hair, but they’re often surprised with “how much better they can look with an attractive wig,” says Sharon Sharpnack, owner of A Wig Galleria on Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights.
Sharpnack has owned her wig shop in Citrus Heights ever since she bought out a business partner at their former shop at the Birdcage Center in 1980 to go out on her own. The store’s current location is in the same shopping plaza as Staples, near Greenback Lane.
“We moved from Birdcage when that was remodeled to a location where the Wendy’s Hamburgers restaurant on Greenback Lane is now,” Sharpnack told The Sentinel in an interview. “When this plaza opened, we moved here. and have been growing steadily ever since.”
Many of her longtime customers have been coming to her shop for decades. A Wig Galleria offers natural hair wigs in all shades and styles to its customers.
Customers can choose from an extensive fashionable collection of leading brand in-stock synthetic wigs, human hair wigs, extensions, hair pieces and colored wigs. Clip-in hair extensions, hats with hair, ponytails, hair bonding and wig maintenance services are also offered.
The soft-spoken Sharpnack refreshed the hair of one of her wigs as she was interviewed. “Women are the majority of our regular customers, but at least 20% are male,” she said.
“Some of our customers aren’t sure what wig or extension they might want when they come in,” she said. Hair toppers and top pieces are considered a perfect choice for those customers with thinning hair or hair loss.
A Wig Galleria has 300 to 400 wigs in stock at any one time and offers special order for her customers by request. Prices can range from a starting price of $140 and go up in price according to the style and hair used. A Wig Galleria carries the nationally known designer wig line marketed by actress Raquel Welch.
For those who want to try on wigs for fun or entertainment, hair color changes, style changes, catalog ordering or internet ordering, there is a consultation charge of $50 per half hour, or fraction of. The consultation fee is credited towards the purchase of a wig.
Many customers try on multiple wigs before they decide on the right one, so the fee offsets the cleaning and upkeep of those wigs featured on display, Sharpnack said.
Twenty percent of the customers who Sharpnack sees are facing hair loss challenges from chemotherapy treatment. Two such customers came in to have wigs cleaned on short notice for a family member undergoing cancer treatment.
“Wigs can conceal hair loss and depending on the style, length, and color can help you look more like you did before treatment or provide a whole new look.”
Many women find that wearing a wig gives them a sense of normalcy and consistency during cancer treatment. A wig can also provide some privacy in that it may prevent people from asking questions about their appearance and diagnosis.
“We also see quite a few younger adult customers going for a special look,” she said. “Fashion hair extensions are also quite popular.”
A Wig Galleria is the only shop of its kind in Citrus Heights, Sharpnack said. “We’re not in a business where there’s a lot of retail competition.” Internet sales has driven down some of her shop’s business in recent years as some customers are driven by price and not quality customer service which she prefers to offer.
Manager Vicki Vang oversees the shop during the week when Sharpnack isn’t present. Her son, Derrick McDougal, also works at the shop.
“We have a great team here,” she said. “We’re looking to stay in business in Citrus Heights for many more years to come.”
A Wig Galleria at 6400 Sunrise Blvd., Suite C, is on the web at www.awiggalleria.biz and is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Not everyone is blessed with good hair, but they’re often surprised with "how much better they can look with an attractive wig,” says Sharon Sharpnack, owner of A Wig Galleria on Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights...
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