Ready, Set, Glow: Golden Rae’s Tanning Salon Open

By ANGELA KELLOGG-HENRY

Cleaver Managing Editor

To Jessica Hartshorn, Harrison feels like home. It’s been her home on and off throughout her life and there is no place else she wants to be. So, it was natural to start a business here with her husband, Dustyn. That business is Golden Rae’s Tanning Salon on First Street, in the former Smokin Hot Tanning building.

They officially opened on Aug. 29 after cleaning and organizing since early August.

“Gerry really left us in a great place,’ Hartshorn of former owner Gerry Gonzalez Barillas. “Everything was well maintained. The electricity had just been reinstalled and certified two years ago.  The roof had some work done and a new furnace last year. We were left in a really good spot with the inventory, the merchandise, and machinery. We are really grateful for that. He was great.”

Hartshorn also recalls Christie, Gerry’s wife, a longtime small business owner in Harrison.

“I loved Christie. She was so sweet and every time I came in here, she had something to talk about. She would talk to you if you had a problem. She would give so many people chances to do jobs at the restaurant [Momma Cillie’s] or here. She was well-loved in the community.”

Their official ribbon-cutting took place on Monday, Sept. 14 with members of the business community and the City of Harrison showing up to offer support and well wishes.

Hartshorn went to beauty college in Clare and has worked as a beautician most of her career. Golden Rae’s does have a salon area, but most likely that space will be leased out to a hairdresser or nail tech. Hartshorn’s main focus will be running the business.

“I like the health benefits that it provides scientifically and anecdotally,” Hartshorn said of the sauna and tanning beds they offer. “I care about health and wellness. This can help anyone of any age. It’s a service I think we really need here in town, because we are cold for six months and we don’t have the sun. Without that, you get cabin fever, you get Seasonal Affective Disorder, a Vitamin D deficiency. Tanning, red-light therapy, and the sauna can all help with those things.”

Hartshorn is joined by her mother, Melanie Ross. Ross brings organization, fun, and tames chaos on a daily basis. Hartshorn’s husband, Dustyn, her brother and cousin also pitch in to handle maintenance and lawn care.

Future plans include the addition of a red-light therapy bed and massage therapy. Hartshorn invites the community to stop in to see the changes and take a tour. One thing that will remain the same is Picture Perfect Pets will remain in the back half of the building providing pet grooming.

 They are located at 695 N. First St. in Harrison, and can be reached at 989-630-0771. Follow them on Facebook at Golden Rae’s Tanning Salon.