Academy Fades & Braids is open to everyone
Hey ladies! There’s a new place in town where you can get your hair and nails done.
And, hey men! There’s a barber at your service right on Main St.
Academy Fades and Braids, located at 309 Main St. in Highland Falls, officially opened back on April 1, when Gary ‘Deekin’ Jackson and Tammy Johnson took over. They remodeled extensively and have spent the last few months building a staff of stylists, nail technicians and barbers that can meet the needs of any and everyone.
“We can serve men, women and children of all ethnicity,” Johnson said. “We are here for a local option for everyone. We don’t want people to have to drive over the mountain for quality hair services.”
Among the hair services are all styles of braids, wash & sets; haircuts, fades and beard trims, and gel and other manicures and hand designs.
The shop is brightly lit, features a display window with tributes on either side of the door to the history of the shop, and Army-West Point memorabilia, and inside, features a resource of other local businesses, with cards, flyers and menus from around Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery.
The atmosphere inside the shop was incredibly festive this past Sunday morning, when the two owners hosted a grand opening ceremony to kick off ‘customer appreciation week’. Chamber of Commerce President Charlene Yehl was on hand with her oversized scissors for a ribbon cutting; all the employees were there; and friends and family of both Jackson and Johnson were on hand to celebrate.
“I’m so happy to be here to congratulate another local resident opening a local business,” Yehl said of Jackson, a native of Highland Falls. “The Chamber is happy to see any business open and wants to help them as we all reinvest in our Main St. together.”
She encouraged community residents to stop in to say hello.
And, heck, Johnson and Jackson encourage anyone who needs their hair or nails done to stop in. They love locals, and are proud to have attracted some cadets and West Point residents already, and are hoping more will follow. Johnson notes they — year-round — offer a 20% discount on all service to active duty military and veterans.
The shop continually has new specials — the best way to find out about them is via their Facebook page, Academy Fades and Braids. You can also stop in to make an appointment, or call 845-839-0522. They’re open seven days a week, but different stylists and barbers have different hours they work. Jackson, for instance, works Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday after 4:30 p.m. — when he finishes work at West Point — and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
They also schedule appointments via an app, The Cut (@thecutapp)
Johnson has been deemed “manager” of the store, CeCe Sanders is a stylist (schedule an appointment with CeCe at ceceshairslay.booksy.com), Alicia Hargrove does nails, and Dee Staples is a weekend stylist. Roberto Gonzalez, the previous owner, continues as a part-time barber.
Once the ribbon was cut, confetti thrown, and lots of ‘good lucks’ offered on Sunday, things were back to usual — hair and nails being tended to. Of course… there was also cake. After all the hard work the staff has done so far, a little cake was well deserved!
