A cake marks the opening for The Foxhole Gentlemen’s Salon.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Owner Christina DeMark cuts the ribbon to officially open The Foxhole. From left, are Christina’s aunt Karen Foglia, Mayor Harry Kelly, Christina, Christina’s fiancee Brent Platukus, helper Taylor Swingle, Christina’s mother Noreen DeMark, Brent’s aunt Marie Scoble, Brent’s grandmother LuAnn Lumley, Brent’s father Kevin Platukus, and Brent’s mother Erica Platukus.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
A wall dedicated to veterans inside The Foxhole.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
One of the salon’s chairs and another wall with patriotic decor.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
CLARKS SUMMIT — Hairstylist Christina DeMark has always been impressed with how veteran-based the community of Clarks Summit is.
She found a spot for her business downtown across the street from the American flag and the POW/MIA flag. Since then, she and her fiancee Brent Platukus have been commuting from their home in Swoyersville to the space located on 107 S. State St., which she made into The Foxhole Gentlemen’s Salon.
After its soft opening in February, a ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred during the grand opening on Saturday, May 13. Like the military position it’s named for, the salon provides a space for camaraderie for veterans and first responders. One of its interior walls will have pictures of local hometown heroes.
“We want them (veterans) to know that when they come here, they can feel comfortable,” said Christina.
As a way to thank them for their service, the veterans are given $3 off for their haircuts or beard trims. The Foxhole isn’t just for veterans and first responders. It offers haircuts for men and boys of all ages. Other services include buzz cuts and brow waxes.
Christina has worked in hair salons throughout Lackawanna and Luzerne counties for the past 12 years.
“It helped me build my clientele, which is wonderful,” she said.
Christina also specializes in haircuts for children with special needs and sensory issues.
“Parents enjoy that because we try to give them (children) a nice, quiet environment for them,” she said.
Christina opened The Foxhole so she can do what she loves in a place that she loves. Her clients, who are mostly veterans, call her a ‘hair-apist’ since they share their experiences in the service with her. From 2008 to 2013, Brent did two deployments in Afghanistan doing explosive ordinance disposal (EOD).
“She (Christina) helped me a lot as a combat veteran for the last eight years,” Brent said. “I know that she can help more (veterans) by getting (them) into that chair.”
One of Christina’s clients Bob McCracken, of Clarks Summit, is a Navy veteran who served in a destroyer during the Vietnam War.
“I’m happy that a young person like her (Christina) is out there working and making an effort,” he said. “She’s attentive, listens, and is easy to work with.”
With the help of part-time worker Taylor Swingle, The Foxhole Gentlemen’s Salon provides a clean and comfortable atmosphere.
“Those are the most important things for me is clean and good service,” said Christina. “I have really great customers, and everybody has been so supportive. It was my lifelong dream to really have my own salon.”
