Earlier this year, Cherie Shepard opened Salon 66 in the former Hair Station 66 building on Highway 47 in Warrenton. 

The building was originally built as a Phillips 66 Gas Station around 1930, according to previous Record reporting, and originally sat on the other side of the highway near the current Walgreens location. 

The historic building was actually lifted from its foundation, and moved across the highway in 2001 to save it from being destroyed as MoDOT expanded Highway 47 in Warrenton. 

Over the years, the building played host to a wide variety of businesses and functions. 

According to previous Record reporting, it was originally owned by Bill Zimmerman as a gas station before it was purchased by the former orphanage in Truesdale and renamed to Orphan 66, as proceeds from the station were used to fund the orphanage. 

It would continue as a gas station for several decades before it was purchased by Greg Costello in 1985, and became Hair Station 66. 

When Shepard took over the building, she wanted to pay homage to its history, and renamed it Salon 66. 

“Every time I came up with a name, I’m like, I’m just gonna name it Salon 66 in honor of the gas station and just the community in itself,” said Shepard. 

Shepard, a longtime resident of Warren County, has worked in hair salons around the area but recently made the decision to break out on her own. 

When she saw the building was available to lease, she thought the two-room office was the perfect space. 

“I just took over everything and renamed it Salon 66 in honor of the building, … So that’s kind of how I got here,” said Shepard. 

She is now taking clients and offers hair styling, nail pedicures and manicures as well as health and wellness products. 

Shepard said during her research she had found, at one time or another, the building had also served as a boutique, a dog groomer, a fabric store and a travel agency. 

She has decorated the small salon with some memorabilia from the building’s history including photos of the original gas station, and a hat used as part of the uniform for its employees. 

“I was just trying to get as much information about it (as I could), just to honor Warren County,” said Shepard. 

As clients have begun to come in, Shepard has continued to learn more about the building as residents reminisce on the area’s history and the building’s many functions. 

“It’s just kind of neat, just hearing everybody’s stories, and listening to what they’re remembering, because I had forgot it was a dog groomer. And then another customer, a new client, she’s coming in with her mom. She said I worked here when it was a travel agent and answered the phone,” said Shepard. 

She is accepting clients and hopes to continue honoring the history of the building. 

“Little things bring up so many stories, and I didn’t realize how many people it actually affects,” said Shepard.