After establishing their first brick-and-mortar location this past January on Jackson Highway after first running a mobile barber shop and esthetician clinic, Onalaska couple Clem and Odette Cilluffo have now opened a second O&C Barber location in downtown Mossyrock.
While branching the business into East Lewis County, Clem — a U.S. Army veteran and retired railroad worker turned barber — is now joined by a second barber, Rhonda “Rhonnie Ray” Wilkinson, of Mossyrock.
Clem and Wilkinson held a soft opening of the new Mossyrock barber shop on May 21. The Chronicle visited the new location for its grand opening on Saturday, May 31.
“I go by Rhonnie Ray behind the chair,” Wilkinson said.
The nickname came from her stepfather, who called her “Rhonnie” growing up.
“At 16, I made him stop because it was embarrassing and I hated it. When I was trying to decide about barbering and what I wanted to go by, I decided to honor my dad, who’s now passed. And I went with Rhonnie Ray because my middle name is Ranae. So Rhonnie Ray’s Clips and Cuts,” Wilkinson said.
Although Odette is still offering esthetician services at the original O&C Barber and Esthetician at 3716 Jackson Highway just north of the state Route 508 intersection, the new Mossyrock location is solely a barber shop. It is located at 112 E. State St. in downtown Mossyrock next to the old G Theatre building.
Neither Clem nor Wilkinson schedule haircut appointments; rather, they operate the barber shop on a first-come, first-served, walk-in basis.
Prior to working at O&C Barber, Wilkinson was a manager for UPS working in Chehalis and Kelso. She moved to Mossyrock in 2015.
“I found myself not employed at UPS anymore and much to my husband’s surprise, I said I wanted to go to school to learn how to do hair,” Wilkinson said.
She succeeded in becoming a licensed cosmetologist and began working at a full-service salon.
“I quickly realized that doing chemical services was not where my passion lied. My passion lied in learning how to cut hair and cut hair well,” said Wilkinson.
After taking some time away from work to concentrate on bettering her barber skills, she met Clem a couple of months ago. He began helping her sharpen those skills and helped her become a licensed barber.
During this time, Clem was already considering opening up a second location, but was looking at locations in Onalaska.
“About a week or two into it, I found out she lived over here in Mossyrock,” Clem said. “Seeing how I have a lot of clientele in Mossyrock, I had an idea of coming over here and opening up.”
Now, Wilkinson will be heading up the new Mossyrock O&C Barber and can concentrate on doing what she loves — cutting hair.
“When you find something that you love to do, and you’re doing that every day, there’s nothing that beats it,” Wilkinson added. “You feel like you’ll never work another day in your life. It’s just all about having fun and helping people feel and look good.”
She’ll cut both men and women’s hair, but Wilkinson warned any woman coming in looking for a trim to ensure their hair was clean and chemical-free before coming in.
“I’m glad to cut women’s hair, but you have to come here with your hair clean because I don’t even have a shampoo bowl,” she said.
Additionally, both Clem and Wilkinson are offering beard trimming for men, along with straight razor shaves and hot towel service.
And while Clem didn’t get to open up a new barber shop in the town where he lives, he’s happy being able to get out more into East Lewis County, as he still has many customers coming from Randle and even further.
“There’s a beautician in Packwood, but no barber,” Clem added.
While Clem was at the grand opening, he will still be cutting hair at the Jackson Highway location and is currently looking to hire another barber to work the second chair next to Wilkinson in Mossyrock.
Clem previously told The Chronicle he had someone come for a haircut from as far west as Pe Ell, and now he has a regular who drives all the way from Raymond.
Because of this, Clem and Odette are already considering opening a third O&C location possibly in Pe Ell for western Lewis County residents and beyond.
“We’re excited to have the second location, and hopefully a third. That’s what we’re shooting for,” Odette said.
She added she has her own plans to possibly open up a new “one-stop pamper shop” in Ethel on U.S. Highway 12.
However, finding another barber for Mossyrock is the main priority right now. Any licensed barbers in the area interested in working at O&C Barber can contact Clem at 360-742-2855 to set up an interview.
O&C Barber in Mossyrock is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Or until the line stops on Saturday,” Wilkinson added.
For more information, follow or message O&C Barber and Esthetician on its Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/cp9ke7ry.
