A dip at the creek

Saratoga residents have yet another option to choose from when it comes to hair care. In May, Copper Creek Hair Company opened at 116 West Bridge Avenue. 

The owner of the new hair salon, Madeline Bonitatibus, may have recently moved to Saratoga from Cheyenne, but is no stranger to the area. Bonitatibus and her family have visited the Platte Valley for many years. Her grandfather, in fact, bought one of the former United States Forest Service houses in Encampment.

After a number of years visiting the Valley, Bonitatibus and her family decided to make the jump and become full-time residents. Her husband is employed by Union Wireless while she operates the new hair salon. The newest hair care specialist brings a wealth of experience with her.

After graduating from cosmetology school in 2009, Bonitatibus moved to Germany where her husband was stationed. While there, she started her hair career and worked on the military base for three years.

"When my husband got deployed, I came back to Cheyenne and got my instructor's license for cosmetology," said Bonitatibus. "So, after that, I went back to Germany and then, following when we moved back to Cheyenne, I started teaching cosmetology for about seven years."

For nearly a decade, Bonitatibus taught at Cheeks Beauty Academy in Cheyenne. While there, she taught Saratoga alum Kennedy Love. After her time teaching, she decided to return to cutting hair as a career. Leaving Cheeks, she rented a booth at Josette's Hair Salon.

"I did that for the past two-and-a-half, three years and then we moved here," Bonitatibus said.

Those familiar with the location of Copper Creek Hair Company would remember it had previously served as an office for two different realty companies, among other businesses. According to Bonitatibus, the biggest change to make was the removal of the carpet. Removing the carpet helped make the small area appear larger.

A major addition is that of a shampoo bowl, which is a must for any hair salon. The installation of the bowl was new territory for Bonitatibus and her husband but the two successfully installed the fixture. 

What can one expect when coming to Copper Creek Hair Company?

"I mostly do hair services for right now," said Bonitatibus. "The skin services I do provide are going to be minimal waxing, so facial waxing mostly and then spray tans, which I do have a mobile unit. So, for whatever reason they can't come to me, I can go to them."

Bonitatibus advised some of the services she provides could take four to six hours to complete and, with it being just her, appointments are recommended. If there is time in her schedule, however, she is not opposed to taking walk-ins.

A women's haircut, including shampoo and style, is $50 while a men's haircut, also with shampoo and style, is $30. A single process color begins at $100 while a retouch begins at $80. An eyebrow wax is $20, a facial wax is $15 and a spray tan is $30.

For more information and more prices either visit Copper Creek Hair Company at 116 W. Bridge Avenue, email [email protected] or call 307-421-3584.