Generational roots grow deep in the former mining town of Bisbee. You can’t walk through the streets of this own and not meet someone along the way that is from Bisbee, some even fourth or fifth generation. As times have changed, so has the town.
One well known staple in the community who has made Bisbee her home since she moved here when she was six years old is Miss Rachel Sky, owner of The Parlor, a hair salon in the Brewery Gulch. She has been at her current location for over four years now, having had to move from her previous space during the COVID-19 pandemic into her current location at 50 Brewery Avenue. “During COVID, we had to change locations,” said Sky, “but it worked out great because I was able to purchase my building for a reasonable price.”
Miss Sky was born in South Bend, Indiana, where her mother was a graduate from the University of Notre Dame. They moved to Bisbee so her mother could pursue a teaching job at Tombstone High School, and Miss Sky has been in/around Bisbee ever since, keeping the generational roots growing in town. “My two daughters and granddaughter were all born here,” said Miss Sky. “So, now we are a generational family.”
She spent a brief stint in Tucson, where she attended Hollywood Barber College. She loved the chill vibe compared to beauty schools, and the instructor’s wife taught her about chemical services and women’s hair.
However, life circumstances led her back to Bisbee in 2012, as a single mom with two young girls in tow; however, some things just do happen for a reason. She ended up connecting with Donna from Red Shoes Salon after she returned to town, and Donna became her biggest mentor.
Needing to find a way to support her kids, she decided to take a leap of faith and open her own hair salon, working in partnership with a biker club, The Berserkers. “The guys tattooed, and I did hair,” said Miss Sky. “It was high energy and pretty cutting edge.”
Her shop’s concept has changed through the years as well. She’s had several different artists work with her. “We had amazing dance parties and memorable times,” said Miss Sky. “Eventually, I met Rey, my current business partner, who runs the vape shop- the only place in Old Bisbee to buy spray paint.”
She counts her blessings for the opportunities that have come her way, and she has overcome adversity to get to where she is today. And she could not be more grateful that she has had loyal customers for decades. Her clients mean the world to her, and some of them have been with her since she first started her hairstyling journey. “They are like family to me,” said Miss Sky. “I actually don’t even feel like I’m at work.”
After 25 years doing hair, she continues to hone her skills through technology, such as online tutorials and Tik Tok. She offers basic fades, as well as both women and men’s haircuts. She also specializes in blonding techniques and hair coloring, especially VIVIDS (vivid hair color), and anything creative.
She said she couldn’t imagine working at a conventional salon, where community is as important as styling hair. “People pop in to chat or hang out,” said Miss Sky. “I would be bored out of my mind, and there is never a dull moment in the Gulch.”
When she’s not working behind the chair, where the magic happens with hair, she’s most likely either working out, writing, dancing or performing. You can also catch her slinging drinks at Gene’s Place on Tuesdays, which ironically was where her salon was previously located.
In addition to all that, she still finds time to be a constant presence in her daughters’ and granddaughter’s lives, helping shape them to be independent women. Her older daughter, Divine, 24, is working on getting her nail technician license to work alongside her mom, and her younger daughter, Electra, 22, is working on getting her esthetician license to also work with her mom. Divine has a one-year-old daughter, Duchess, also with the last name Sky.
Miss Sky couldn’t imagine doing anything or being anywhere else than what she is doing and where she is doing it. She loves the unique community where she has put down her roots, trying to keep life light and interesting. “I made an oath to keep Bisbee weird and fight the uptight,” said Miss Sky. “If that means dressing up like a crawfish, protesting a wet t-shirt contest (satire, obviously), or being beheaded every year at the Alice in Bisbeeland event, so be it.”
If you’d like to schedule a hair appointment with Miss Sky, please call her at 520-432-6922. Or feel to stop in and say hi to her anytime.