Last week, Klassic Kutz, a hair styling salon and barbershop in Cathlamet, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce.

Owner, hairstylist and barber Kelli Quaschnick moved into her new shop below the Cathlamet Pharmacy three weeks ago and is beginning to feel right at home.

"I'm grateful to be here, happy to be here. Everyone I've met so far has been very hospitable and I'm very thankful for the community," Quaschnick said.

The Klassic Kutz owner has been working with her hands and other people's hair since she graduated high school in Gresham, Ore., at which point she pursued a beauty license in Portland. Then after several stints working for mom-and-pop sized salons, Great Clips, and briefly becoming a beauty school instructor, Quaschnick realized her ability to work more efficiently than her peers.

"As time went on I noticed I had a skill of being more efficient and fast for hair cuts. I thought that if I could make money for other people, why couldn't I do it for myself," Quaschnick explained.

After eight years she launched her own business and worked at various locations until, in 2018, she rented a long term space in Sheridan, Ore., Quaschnick then decided to move to Rainer and eventually Cathlamet with her husband and two sons where she continues to own and operate her own salon.

The most unique aspect of Klassic Kuts is the conspicuous bin of canned food you see when you walk in. Quaschnick incentivizes her customers to bring in canned food to save $2 on a haircut. She in turn takes the collection to a local food bank. Coincidently, one of her patrons works at a food bank and has volunteered to take the collection after each of their haircuts.

One of Quaschnick's main motivations for being in the beauty industry is to be able to provide for others. It is also an opportunity to build bonds with people who entrust you with something very personal, their hair. According to Quaschinck, sometimes trust and care goes beyond the hair.

"What happens at the salon stays at the salon, like the sign says at my shop. People tell you everything and I like being there for people," Quaschinck explained. "They become like friends and family here...it's caring like your mother did when she would comb your hair before school. There's a level of nurturing there."

Klassic Cuts is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 40 River Street. All haircuts and waxings are $10 and $2 off with any one canned food donation; walk-ins only.