Communities, Features, Laingsburg

Bonnie Lucille Salon Opens in Laingsburg

LAINGSBURG — When Bethany Fulford opened her new salon in downtown Laingsburg — Bonnie Lucille — she had plenty of inspiration.

She found inspiration in her family, husband Scott, daughter Aubry and son Dakota, for all their help, hard work and support.

She found inspiration from her close-knit brothers, Ron, Kevin and Floyd, who worked tirelessly helping paint and refurbish the historic building.

She found inspiration in the building owners, Jeff and Gail Geasler, who are not only busi- ness comrades but also close friends.

Perhaps most inspiring, however, is the name of the new salon itself. Bonnie Lucille. Named for her late mother, who passed away from cancer in 2006.

“Bonnie Lucille” literally means “Beautiful Light.” Says Bethany, “It’s a wonderful tribute to my mother. “It’s been a long road to get here, but when the salon finally opened its doors on February 2, it completed more than 7 months of planning and refurbishing work on the 150-year-old structure at the corner of Grand River Ave. and Woodhull St. What’s left, after all the brick has been pinned, painting completed, lighting installed and the rest of the rework done, is a modern inte- rior with a uniqueness you can see, an “inviting feel” that Mrs. Fulford hopes will put clients in a relaxed mood — “where they feel like they’re at home,” she says.

The road to opening the new location is actually more than 21 years in the making. Bethany graduated from Haslett High School in 1999, then earned her cosmetology certification from Douglas J in Okemos. She worked at Stephen Marvin’s in Holt for a bit, before moving to Tennessee, where she met her husband, Scott. An accomplished country singer, Scott could be heard on local airwaves like WITL in Lansing. He still sings — the family is even promising some showcasing in the popular “Music in the Park” series hosted by the Laingsburg Business and Community Association (LBCA) in the summer months — and while he pursued his singing career, Bethany maintained her cosmetology career by working for Regis Salons for 16 years.

Returning to Michigan, Bethany opened her own chair at a salon in Haslett, where Gail Geasler was a client. One thing led to another, the Geaslers had a newly refurbished business space open, and after all the work was completed, Bonnie Lucille was a reality.

Currently, Bethany operates the salon with two stylists — Angela Regan of Laingsburg, with 21 years of experience, and Kristen Harden of Perry, Bethany’s niece, with 10 years as a stylist.

Opening a new business during the Covid-19 pandemic has been a challenge, but the Fulfords have been up to the challenge. They’re complying with all CDC guidelines, including having customers and stylists mask-up, hand sanitize, and maintain social distancing inside the salon. “We also wipe down and sanitize each station after each guest,” Bethany says.

Future plans call for expansion with nail tech services, a massage therapist, esthetician services and tanning. “We want to be a full-service salon,” says Bethany.

Bonnie Lucille is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 to 5 Friday and Saturday, and other hours by appointment. The phone number is (517) 919-1717.

Cover Photo: Bonnie Lucille staff (l-r) Stylist, Kristen Harden, Owner/Stylist, Bethany Fulford and Stylist Angela Regan. Photo by Deb Price