Polish Town Hair Salon Closing Doors After Over 30 Years

Battling rising rent, a drop in business, and a change in culture on Pulaski Street, hair stylist and small business owner Kay Davis - owner of - is leaving Polish Town after more than 30 years in business.

Giving up the business she started has been a decision she's been grappling with for over three years, she said. But the time has come.

"It's time for me to move on," she said Friday morning, her last day in business. "This just isn't Polish Town anymore."

Davis said she has noticed a change in about the past eight years, and census data agree that Riverhead, including and beyond just Polish Town, seems to agree.

According to census numbers, the Hispanic population in Riverhead census designated place - which runs from downtown Riverhead all the way up to Northville, including Polish Town, and numbers over 13,000 - has increased sizably in the past decade. Nearly 950 individuals of Hispanic origin were counted in the 2000 census, making up 9 percent of the population. That number increased to over 3,300 in 2010.

In addition to demographic changes in the area, businesses have come and gone along with it. Kay's duaghter Karen recalled the days when patrons from Doc's Tavern, across the street, would shuffle from the pub across the street, taking turns, to step from the barstool to the barber chair. Next door, she recalled the line that used to wrap around in front of Hairstyles in Motion's door, from the former bakery next door. Both establishments are long gone.

Hairstyles in Motion by Kay opened its doors seven days a week at one time, with Davis employing close to a dozen hair stylists. But recently Davis, 71, cut back to three days a week, sometimes coming in by appointment as well.

Davis is holding a "thank you party" for her customers and friends Friday afternoon from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Davis has been a hair dresser for 49 years, and says what she'll miss most is the relationship with her customers.

"I love the hands-on part of it," she said. "And people confide in you, and those people become your friends and really, your family."

Davis, a Calverton resident and "100 percent Polish," she's proud to say, has been an active member of the Polish Town Civic Association since she opened her doors. She's been predisent of the civic association five times and has most recently served as the Polish Town Fair coordinator. 

Irene Wacik, who has been going to Hairstyles in Motion for over 20 years - closer to 30, Davis said - said she wasn't sure yet where she is going to get her hair done moving forward.

"I don't know. Maybe grow it out in a pony tail like the guys do?" she said with a laugh. Most of all, she said she'll miss her conversations with Davis. "We can tell each other secrets, and they don't get broadcast all over the place."