Carrying on a family tradition with Robin Garrett Robin Garrett’s parents, Gary and Carolyn Cope, started three businesses in the Texarkana area that have become a part of the local tradition for beauty, wellness, and fashion. “Mom and Dad have been in the fashion and beauty business for over 50 years. My dad was Mom’s hair school instructor in Denver, Colorado. Yes, the teacher dated the student, but it should be noted that there is only a one year age difference!” Robin says. “They moved here in the 70’s and opened their first salon, My Beauty Salon. As time passed, we became Hair Design Systems, and 25 years later, they added Labels Boutique and Time in a Bottle Spa. The three businesses are right in a row on Robin Lane in Texarkana, Texas.” Some of Robin’s most fond memories center around her parent’s businesses and the times she had there. “At one time, our salon was in Richmond Square, back before anything else was over there except Dairy Queen. Sam’s, Super 1, and Burger King didn’t exist yet. Every day after school, my brother, Jay, and I would walk through the clay field to get a chocolate-covered ice cream cone,” Robin says. “When I was older and in high school at Pleasant Grove, I would come to the salon to help with the client’s makeup and shampooing. Having access to makeup, nail polish, and hair tools is every little girl’s dream, and I knew, even back then, that I was supposed to be doing the same thing as my parents. I guess you could say that fashion and beauty are in our blood.” Even today, Robin runs the businesses with her parents’ original vision in mind. “Watching my parents work together all day every day was truly amazing. Not too many people could do that with their spouse and ever make it through 51 years 016
A LT M a g a z i n e | O c t o b e r 2 0 2 0
