Hastings-based hair salon Panache has gone into liquidation with a note on the door of its Heretaunga Street salon citing "personal, health and family issues".
Since opening in 1983 the salon has built up an annual client base of 15,000, some of whom have been going regularly since John and Sue
Hardy first opened the business on Market Street.
But despite the recently opened Havelock North site on Joll Road apparently booming and a salon further along Heretaunga Street catering just for men, there has been no business at any of the salons since Thursday.
The sign on the door reads: "It is with much sadness and regret that we are reluctantly forced to enter these businesses into voluntary liquidation. We wish to express our sincerest apologies for the inconveniences and hardship this may cause. This decision is entirely voluntary and is due to personal, health and family issues that have made it impossible to manage the business effectively and honour our commitments to staff and clients."
The 30 award-winning staff were told on Thursday night they no longer had jobs and some have already been snapped up by local salons.
The salon was owned by David Jarvis and his father Robert Jarvis, and run with David's partner, Chris Devlin, and John Hardy.
Hawke's Bay Today understands it is possible the Panache owners may be trying to sell the business so it could yet re-open.
There was to be a staff meeting at the owner's house last night.
Panache began with John and Sue Hardy and one other staff member. After six years they moved to Heretaunga Street near the current cinema complex and did business from there for 12 years.
Six years ago Panache moved again, back closer to its origins, on the corner of Market Street and Heretaunga Street.
Last year it added the Havelock North salon and PM - Panache Men.
There were plans to also open salons in Napier, Palmerston North, Taupo and Tauranga.
