New salon Swank builds on owner's industry experience

Southwest Missourians who seek hairstyling services in a setting with a big-city feel can find a new choice in southeast Springfield.

Swank A Tummons Salon LLC opened for business Aug. 1 at 3657 E. Sunshine St. in the Eastgate Plaza.

Owner Dave Tummons is capitalizing on his 32 years of experience in the salon industry. Though he has been a partner in other salons, this solo venture is a concept that was two years in the making.

Tummons, a former Marine who studied art in college, chose his career in 1976 after meeting people who were making good livings in the industry, and because he had always enjoyed working with people and making them feel good about themselves.

Still, he hasn't forgotten his artistic roots.

"I wanted (Swank) to be a salon that looked like an art gallery," he said. "We (display and) switch local artists' work every 60 days ... . I want it to be very comfortable for men, women and kids."

The salon's amenities include three 42-inch flat screen TVs - one geared to men, one to women and one turned to news.

"It's a very New York-L.A. look with an open feeling, acid-washed concrete and big leather chairs," Tummons said. "We had a custom designer make our stations. They're very stylish, friendly, open from all the way front to all the way to the back for viewing clients. Armoires are in the center ... so no one can feel like they're behind a wall."

Tummons, 14 other stylists and a receptionist work in the 2,400-square-foot space that specializes in hairstyling services and products.

The salon is generally open Mondays through Saturdays, but pricing and hours vary because stylists are independent contractors who set their own service rates.

Setting the scene

Tummons obtained an undisclosed amount of financing for Swank from Liberty Bank, and he declined to say how much money he spent to open the shop.

According to Springfield building permit, infill for Swank had an estimated value of $40,000.

Developer Mark Gardner, owner of Gardner Properties of Springfield LLC, leases the building space in Eastgate Plaza to Tummons.

"I think it is very complimentary of what we have out there," Gardner said of Swank. "The whole idea of having the tanning salon, a workout facility and a place to get a haircut all ties in together (for) a spa-type theme."

Gardner said space in Eastgate Plaza leases for $13.50 per square foot plus about $3 per square foot for common area maintenance.

"I'm extremely impressed with what Dave did with the space," Gardner said. "He did his own infill for the most part. I provided him an allowance; I'm confident that he went over the allowance and put a lot of his own money into the deal. He just created a very first-class operation out there. ... As the owner of a center, you are always pleased when one of your tenants takes so much pride in his own space. It does nothing but enhance the image of the overall center and helps the other businesses, quite frankly."

Choosing Swank's home was easy for Tummons, who didn't consider any other spots.

"This center is a great center for personal attention to oneself," he said. "By that I mean there are great restaurants, a great tanning salon, excellent nail salon, incredible fitness center and there's also Social Suppers. One of my primary reasons (was that) State Beauty Supply, where I buy about 95 percent of the products we use, is just three doors down."

Catering to clients

Tummons said he knows that the most important aspect of his success is people - both the clients he serves and Swank's stylists.

Vicky Allen, Swank receptionist through the week and a stylist on Saturdays, has worked with Tummons for about 16 years. "Everybody here has been doing hair so long and ... they're very sure of themselves, very educated," she said. "We have people here who have their master's (degrees) in hair cutting."

Allen said all stylists keep up on the latest trends in hair.

She noted that Tummons has a unique desire to work with everyone who does hair at Swank.

"Dave is very fair, very good to people," she said. "He's easy to please and will always do anything to help his people grow."

As for Tummons, he expects to expand his venture someday. He'd like to open a Swank Too in Springfield and possibly other salons in southwest Missouri.[[In-content Ad]]