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Santa reigns at Austintown beauty salon
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .During the holiday season, owner Janie Surman of Change About Beauty Salon in Austintown has her facility decorated with an impressive array of Santa Claus figurines and decorations, with the highlight being her Santa Claus Christmas tree. Surman began collecting Santas when her mother bought her a figurine shortly before her death 17 years ago. Now, Surman's love for the man in red brings joy to all of the visitors at her salon during the holidays.
By SARAH FOOR
To say Janie Surman, owner of Change About Beauty Salon in Austintown, has Christmas spirit is an understatement.
Customers can’t help but notice a large collection of Santa Claus figurines and stuffed dolls and a Christmas tree with a Santa topper.
Surman’s passion for old St. Nick and her holiday cheer began 17 years ago at a painful time in her life, when she lost her mother just days before Christmas.
“We heard of her passing on Dec. 23, but everyone in the family was surprised to find that she had gifts for all of us wrapped and ready for Christmas nonetheless. My gift was a Santa figurine, and it meant so much to me. My Santa collection started that day,” explained Surman.
Surman never put that figurine away, even when the holiday was over. Family, friends and salon patrons noticed and started to give Santas to Surman and her collection is still growing each year.
Beyond the personal reason for the decorations in her salon, Surman said she simply loves this time of year.
“I love making people smile when they walk in. I love this holiday. The cheer goes beyond me — as a salon, we collect canned goods to donate to local food banks and participate in the Salvation Army’s Operation Christmas Child,” Surman said.
Her extensive collection wows her customers, but if they saw her house, they’d be in awe.
“My house looks like this, too,” Surman said with a smile.