8 • The Southwest Portland Post FEATURES May 2014 Salon Dirk and Northwest Wools celebrate 25 years in business ment,” Dirk said, “we’re planning on something soon.” When asked if she was retir- ing anytime soon to spend more time with her three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, she laughed and said, “When I die; I love my work.” Across town at Northwest Wools, long time owner, Linda Berning, is retiring. Located across from Key Bank, the wool shop recently hit the 25-year mark. Northwest Wools is Portland’s oldest yarn shop providing fiber, yarn, accessories, and instruction to local fiber artists. Portland has 18 yarn shops and has the largest number of yarn shops per capita in the world. Northwest Wools has a large, loyal customer-based following due to Berning’s dedication to creating a service-oriented environment. Berning has always told her staff that the shop is the ‘Les Schwab’ of yarn shops. “If someone walks in with a fiber problem,” Berning said, “our aim is to assist them whether they pur- chased the yarn from us or not. We even have a 100-year-old woman as a customer. Men are coming in as well working on projects for wives or girlfriends. “Much of the yarn comes from lo- By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post Jo-Anna Dirk, owner of Salon Dirk in Hillsdale, and Linda Bern- ing, of Northwest Wools located in Multnomah Village, are both marking milestones this month as their businesses turn a quarter-of- a-century. Salon Dirk, located next to Sal- vador Mollies, has been coifing customers since Ronald Reagan was just leaving the White House. Dirk grew up in the New York City metropolitan area knowing at a very early age she wanted to take care of people. Since then, Dirk has trained and mentored many students coming right out of cosmetology school. “I usually hire students,” Dirk said. “But over the years, they come and go, especially the young ones.” Dirk was one of the first business owners to help shape the Hillsdale Business and Professional Associa- tion by getting grants and creating a business plan for the community. Plans for the 25th anniversary are delayed due to a car crashing recently into the salon; no one was hurt. “We were planning a celebration in April, but due to all the excite- Jo-Anna Dirk, owner of Salon Dirk, is an icon colorist with seven years as a platform artist and educator for the Wella Corporation, and 10 years as a national educator for Paul Mitchell. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) Jackie Howard Kraybill, current owner, and Linda Berning, retiring owner of Northwest Wools will hold a 25th anniversary party at First Friday in Multnomah Village. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) cal Oregon artists and independent dyers,” Berning continued. “We call it ‘farm-to-needle’”. Under the new ownership, Jackie Howard Kraybill plans to carry the shop forward for many years to come. Her first order of business is to hook the business into social media and attract even more cus- tomers. Northwest Wools will be cel- ebrating its 25th anniversary on the upcoming First Friday in the Village and honor Berning. Wine, prizes, and a flamenco party will be featured. June is busting out all over! Father’s Day, weddings, graduations, farmers markets, sidewalk sales, outdoor concerts, al fresco dining, summer vacation, the list goes on. June is a great time to advertise in The Post as well. To place your ad or for more information call Don at 503-244-6933 or Harry at 503-244-4442. 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