For Kovalenko, Life Plays Out at Peet's

Stop into any morning of the week and you are likely to see Leah Kovalenko and her fiancé Mitch holding court with new friends and old. Originally from Seattle, Leah has lived in Mill Valley on and off for the past 20 years. She lives in Cascade Canyon and works as a hairstylist at salon on Miller Avenue.

Mill Valley Patch: You live in Cascade Canyon. What attracted you to that part of town?
Leah: I love my neighborhood! I love the quiet. I love my daughter Mia's school () and the . And I love my neighbors. Many have been there for over 30 years and don't have grandkids yet so they love hanging out with Mia. They have fun stories about the house we live in, about the previous owners and the hot tub parties.

MVP: Do you see the same people every morning at Peet's?
Leah: Every morning. And I met my fiancé Mitch through a girlfriend here in Mill Valley but we basically courted at Peet's. We lived out our making up and breaking up at Peet's, in front of the whole town.

MVP: In the morning – never in the afternoon?
Leah: Only in the morning, every morning. Just show up.

MVP: Instead of a bar. Do you sit in the same seat?
Leah: No, but if it's warm we go out to Sconehenge. I think I've been sitting out there for 20 years.

MVP: Is it hard for new people to join the crowd or do they just need to start coming in every day?
Leah: They just need to start coming every day. It's a very accepting little group down there.

MVP: Do you ever ask people their name? How many visits before you ask someone's name?
Leah: People need to come for a long time and really talk – religion, politics, and personal matters -- before you ask their name. Maybe on the third time.

MVP: Do you ever socialize with any of those people outside of Peet's?
Leah: Yes, we invite them to our parties.

MVP: Why Peet's? Do you ever go anywhere else?
Leah: I'm addicted to the coffee, and I can walk.

MVP: OK, now onto your hairstyling business. Are most of your clients from Mill Valley?
Leah: Yes, and Tiburon.

MVP: What's your favorite part about the job?
Leah: The best part of my job is just being with these fabulous women I might not have known otherwise. I have this community of women of all ages. They listen to me, I listen to them. We share information. It's a gift.

MVP: People really do confide in you. It is like therapy, isn't it?
Leah: Yes, they are so open. From the minute they sit in the chair for the first time.
When someone is touching your hair, you feel so relaxed, but also a little vulnerable.
Maybe a little cared for, and nurtured.

MVP: Do you have many men clients?
Leah: No, I try not to.

MVP: Really?
Leah: Well, we (Taylor Kraft and I) loved it when we were younger. And we still have our favorite guys but we don't want new ones. Men don't care about their hair. They're not paying $65 for a haircut. They want the full experience, the flirting and fun. They want to be made to feel handsome. Sometimes they want to have an affair. They'll say it as a joke, just to see if we take the bait.

MVP: Have you ever had anyone not be nice?
Leah: Everyone's pretty nice. There are people who are always unhappy with their hair, but then they make an appointment to come back.

MVP: Do you like working in Mill Valley?
Leah: Love it. It is so easy! I build my business by hanging out at Peet's. I just talk to people and get new clients. I didn't mean to do that but it works.