Payson Roundup

Alexis Bechman/Roundup

All of the staff at Cookie Cutters Salon have worked with owner Karen “Cookie” Sawyer (right) for years, including (from left) Jerry Rodriquez, Betty Dixon and Jamie Schulte.

Two decades ago, Payson looked a lot different. The town had 7,100 fewer residents; the roads were less congested and Walmart didn’t exist.

Over the years, things changed. More people arrived and businesses came and went.

What you could find back then and still today is a small town beauty salon where the staff knows your name and treats you like family.

Cookie Cutters, at 200 W. Frontier, remains faithfully in the same shopping center it did years ago and its staff continues to offer a welcoming attitude that attracts loyal customers.

Owner Karen “Cookie” Sawyer and staff are celebrating the salon’s 20th anniversary this Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a party and catered lunch.

“I invite anyone that we enhanced or made a difference in their looks in the past 20 years to come by and have a little bite of food with us and just say hi,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer opened Cookie Cutters in 1990 after buying the salon from Earl and Vermona Conrad. Sawyer worked for the Conrads from 1988 to 1990 as a stylist and then took it over when they moved on.

Since then, the small salon hasn’t changed much from the outside. What has grown, is the salon’s loyal client base and experienced staff.

“I contribute to my success to my staff and how we work so well together,” Sawyer said, “and the respect we have for one another and being fair and honest in our everyday dealing with our clientele.”

Over the last 20 years, loyal clients include Rosemary Fergen, Margie Johnson, Dani Hatch, Nancy Ashby, Pat and Dick Watson, Lois Smith, Dennis Pennell, Verna Howard, Winnie Estes, Lorraine Williams, Beverly Burroughs and Dar Kometh.

“I would also like to thank all of the faithful clients that have come to us regularly,” Sawyer said.