The Image Company, a local hair salon that spans two generations, suddenly closed all four locations—two in Glastonbury and one in Cheshire, along with a fourth salon called Family Haircut in Bristol.
Three of its employees told NBC Connecticut they learned they were out of work via text message, sent by one of The Image Company’s owners, Matt Gibbons.
One employee, Stephanie Dufour, said working at one of the Glastonbury locations hardly felt like work at all.
"They all seemed to really care and enjoy everything," said Dufour. "And you know, little by little, you just start to notice from above, they didn’t care so much."
For her, a Feb. 7 text message solidified that notion:
“It is with great sorrow to announce that we are temporarily closing the stores effective immediately. You have every right to seek unemployment benefits. Please respect our privacy. From Matt," the text message read.
That’s how, Dufour said, owners Carolyn and Matt Gibbons notified her and several other employees that they no longer work there.
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"We get things happen," said Dufour. "But you know, you’ve got to follow through, and if you're going to end something, end it the right way."
"The right way," according to Dufour, would’ve included some assurance that they’d receive their final pay, and a few intangibles.
"Some information from our clients," said Dufour. "We weren’t able to tell them where we’re going, and in this industry that’s how we make our money."
And clients like Glastonbury’s Patricia Johnson are out of luck, too.
"Very surprised," said Johnson. "They don’t even have a sign up."
Several phone calls and text messages also went unanswered, both from employees and NBC Connecticut, providing little solace for The Image Company’s staff— just one silver lining for Dufour.
"I saw this place spiraling out of control a couple of months ago and thankfully I got another job to accommodate," said Dufour. "But there were people there, that was their lifeline."
Any employees who do not receive the full pay they’re owed can contact the State Department of Labor to file a complaint.
