Lillian's Hair Salon Celebrates 30 Years in Business With Cut-A-Thon Fundraiser

In honor of Lillian Schon’s 30 years in business, the local business owner and hairstylist is hosting a charity “cut-a-thon” on Sunday, June 11, from 11:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Over the years, Schon has styled hair at her Main Street salon, Lillian’s Hair Salon and Spa, from a simple toddler’s trim, to entire wedding parties with full glam. However, one specific client left his mark on Schon and that was Jake Greenbaum — who some called the unofficial mayor of Westhampton Beach.

“Jakey was always driving around town on his little bike,” Schon remembered with laughter in her voice. Schon remembered Greenbaum cruising down Main Street, passing her salon on his tandem bicycle, waving and smiling at bystanders as he rode.

Greenbaum was diagnosed with a rare malignant brain tumor at 3 months old. After the tumor was removed and he was treated with chemotherapy, Greenbaum was left with the inability to speak and developmental delays. However, Schon said this didn’t stop him from expressing himself and befriending everyone he met. In August 2020, Greenbaum died at age 30, surrounded by his family.

In honor of Schon’s favorite client, she’ll be raising money for the Making Headway Foundation, which has been dedicated to providing care and comfort to children with brain and spinal cord tumors while funding medical research for over 26 years.

Elisa Greenbaum, Jake’s mother, and board chair at the Making Headway Foundation has been a client of Schon’s since the very beginning, 30 years ago.

“Elisa has been my client since I opened the door,” Schon said of her shop at 63 Main Street. Schon opened her salon in 1993. “They live locally, and Elisa was one of my first clients. She stuck with me for 30 years … a long time. They’re such a wonderful family.”

Originally from Long Beach, Schon said she’s been cutting and styling hair “forever.”

“I grew up in this business,” she said. “My older sister had a salon.”

Schon explained that after school, she’d go to her sister’s salon and help out. Schon’s family moved out east in 1989.

“This is a happy business,” she said. “You make everyone look good and feel good. It just cheers people up when you make them look good.

“I am excited to be celebrating 30 years in business,” Schon said, adding that she’s worked with the foundation in the past.

Pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors are one of the leading causes of death among childhood cancers according to the Making Headway Foundation.

Making Headway is there to provide, free of charge, many services for the child and family including individual counseling, education advocacy, in hospital quality of life programs, scholarships, fun family events, medical research grants, clinical trials and neuro oncology fellowships.

For parents who have lost children, the group offers bereavement groups and assistance with funeral expenses when there is a need.

On Sunday, the hair styling team will be offering $30 flat-fee haircuts, cut and go, with no wash or blow dry. Refreshments will be offered and no appointments are necessary.

Schon will also be selling raffle tickets with all of the money raised going to Making Headway.

“Jake loved holidays,” Schon remembered fondly of her favorite client. “He loved dressing up for Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July and coming in for his haircut.”

“I called Jake ‘Mr. Jake.’ He was my favorite client. He loved getting his hair cut,” Schon added.

Schon even remembered attending Greenbaum’s bar mitzvah at the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach. Of course, Schon styled his hair for the big day.

“He made eye contact with me when he was up there,” she said, “and he knew I was there. It was very touching. I remember he rode his little bike to the salon before the bar mitzvah. Jakey was such a good guy.”

Schon hosted a cut-a-thon five years ago, to commemorate her 25th year in business and raised over $5,000 in four hours for the Making Headway Foundation. Multiple stylists are volunteering on Sunday and everyone has offered to donate their services to the cause. There will also be raffles and auction items.

“It’s tragic that the little guy passed away,” Schon said with sadness in her voice, in between client appointments at her hair salon. “He loved to get his hair cut. Jakey didn’t speak, but he had fun coming in and loved a haircut.”

East End Entertainment will DJ the event and Bartenders 2 Go will serve up mocktails. “All the money goes toward this good cause. It’s going to be a great day,” Schon finished.

For more information or to donate to Making Headway Foundation, visit makingheadway.org.