Longtime stylist Phyllis Cook, owner of P S Hair Design, has hung up her apron and moved to Wyoming to be closer to her daughter, Autumn.

The transition wasn’t be easy for the Coupeville native. And many of her clients are taking the news hard.

Cook and her many clients formed strong bonds during the hair stylists’ 31-year career.

“You become part of their lives,” she said of her customers.

Alice Hansen remembers her first haircut at P S when she was 12. An awful ‘do experience had kept her away from all hair salons for several years. But Cook’s gentle style and clipping talent made the timid pre-teen return year after year.

More than 25 years later, Hansen — now 39 — drives down from Burlington every six weeks for a cut, and bring her boys, Andrew, 9, and Dane, 6.

Hansen isn’t sure exactly what she’ll do now that Cook has made her move, but she’ll likely continue to rely on the other stylists at P S for her clips.

Although P S Hair Design has changed hands, the longtime Main Street shop with distinctive lavender trim will remain open under the direction of Gina Van Wetter, another longtime P and S Coupeville stylist who’s decided to purchase the shop.

“I’ll keep the same name and it’ll be business as usual,” Van Wetter said.

Although Cook’s sad to say goodbye to so many close friends, she’s excited to live closer to her daughter,

“This is just an adventure. It’s time for something different,” Cook said, who left late last month.

Call 678-4417, or visit 308 S. Main St. for a clip at P S Hair Design, “The Best Little Hair House.”