Sets and perms have come and gone, platinum blonde tip caps have been replaced by precision-placed foils and the growth in home haircare has changed the face of the industry from weekly visits to the salon to today’s “wash and wear” looks.

Albury’s longest-running hairdressing salon Lola Wigg Hair Cafe has seen it all operating from its Amp Lane site since 1942.

Lola Wigg Salon led the fashions of the day with style, sophistication and perfectly-placed locks.

Because it was not deemed appropriate for women to look “undone” in public, the salon’s first design included small independent cubicles and every station had an ashtray to allow clients to chain-smoke throughout the service. 

Lola Wigg Hair Cafe’s present co-owner Bree Brown was part of the team that put a stop to smoking in the salon when she took over the business in 1995.

Mrs Brown’s aunt Carol Chisnal operated the salon for 20 years before her.

“It’s been in the family for 40 years; I celebrated 20 years with the business on the 1^st of July this year,” Mrs Brown said.

“There have been many changes from the chain-smoking in the salon to the styling of hair.”

Opening in January 1942, the iconic salon has operated from the heritage listed T&G Building in Amp Lane for more than seven decades. It has had only four changes of ownership during that time.

Last month Lola Wigg Hair Cafe finally outgrew its original, historic site, moving to the Volt Lane retail development. 

Mrs Brown said the business relocated 75 metres down the laneway to a new, purpose-designed salon five weeks ago.

Albury’s award-winning builder Scott James completed the fit-out of the improved ambient space.

Not forgetting its roots, memorabilia from the original Lola Wigg Salon shopfront, such as retro signage from 1942, has been kept in the new space to remind clients of the heritage.

“Being with such close proximity of the original salon, the Lola Wigg experience won’t differ,” Mrs Brown said.

“With the same convenient parking, local cafes and shops on its doorstep, Lola Wigg Hair Cafe will remain a vital part of central Albury’s business community. 

“Yet the move brings with it the opportunity to blend their impressive history with an exciting expansion.”

Lola Wigg Hair Cafe is the only hairdressing salon to win the acclaimed Albury-Northside Business Chambers’ Most Outstanding Business twice – in 2009 and 2012.

The salon has now settled into its new home at 1/17 Amp Lane, Albury, opposite Target.