Venus Hair Salon always in style

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- When Susan Venus opened the doors to Venus Hair Salon in 1978, her life was just starting. The former barbershop had been closed, and she took a leap of faith by renting the building before eventually purchasing it at the age of 27.

"I didn't think I'd fail," she said.

Nearly five decades later, that confidence has grown into one of Houston Heights' most recognizable small businesses.

Step inside Venus Hair Salon and it's immediately clear this isn't an ordinary salon. Every inch of the walls is covered with artwork, memorabilia, and eclectic treasures, many of them gifts from customers and complete strangers.

"Everything you see on these walls has been brought in to us by patrons, customers, clients, total strangers," Stylist Susan Romeo said. "You just scoot something away, put another nail in the wall and keep going."

Co-workers say Venus' commitment to the community extends far beyond decorating the walls. Her dedication has even earned her a Congressional Award for outstanding community service.

That sense of community is also reflected in the salon's customers. Romeo told us people bring in their children for their very first haircut. Years later, those same children return from college during Thanksgiving break because, as many jokingly tell her, "Nobody up there knows how to cut hair."

Then come weddings, babies and another first haircut.

"We touch a lot of people," Romeo said. "They have a lot of problems going on in their life, and we're here to hear it."

Venus Hair Salon is located at 361 W 19th Street in Houston.