HAMPTON | Marguerite's Beauty Salon is celebrating a beautiful milestone. Located at 861 Lafayette Road on Route 1 in Hampton, this multi-generational trademark will be celebrating five decades of beautifying the people of the Seacoast area community.

Marguerite Jester, originally from Newfoundland, and now 83 years old, started this beauty business in 1955, originally located upstairs from what is now FunnyBones Toys in Hampton.

These days, her daughter Bernice Marzinzik owns and operates the shop, which has certainly expanded with the growing needs of the community.

They have been at their current location for the past six years and, in keeping with family, Bernice's daughter (Marguerite's granddaughter) Kim Fraser, now owns and operates the connected Nail Salon upstairs as well.

Offering full service, Bernice has a wonderful group of friendly and talented staff. From cut and color, highlight and foil, manicures and pedicures to tanning, this salon is a one-stop primping palace.

The greatest part about it is, not only are they superb in their craft, but a few hours with this gang and you feel as if you have spent time among friends.

It is not unusual to walk in to coffee and cake being shared while catching up with one another about the latest during a haircut. Marguerite has maintained from the start "Always a Friendly Atmosphere," which still appears on their business cards. She and her family have stayed true to their word.

Although Marguerite is semi-retired and away in Florida half of the year, she still makes it a point to visit with her long time customers, many of whose children and grandchildren have also been clients through the years.

The talented women on her staff include: Linda Seguin, full service specialist for 38 years and former owner of 'Headquarters for Hair' in Hampton Falls; Cheryl Daley, full service specialist who graduated from beauty school in the same class as Bernice 32 years ago; Margaret Gauron, specializing in spectacular haircuts; Terri Perkins-Lund, specializing in full service of hair; Sarah Roy, whose talent lies in color, foils and nails; beginner hair stylist Koren Scourtis; and of course Bernice. With more than three decades of experience herself, she wears many hats, and always with a smile.

Upstairs from the hair salon is a full service tanning salon featuring three wooden booths, beautifully enclosing two tanning beds and one stand up booth. This unique design was created and installed by Bernice's son Dustin Marzinzik, a talented local general contractor.

Next door to the tanning salon, Dustin's sister Karen Fraser owns "The Natural Nail." Here, Kim and two other nail technicians, Alison Cropper-Ellis and Laura Richardson work on beautifying nails.

Known for their creative free-hand nail art, they also offer manicures, pedicures, acrylics, fiberglass, gels, paraffin dips, European hand massage, hot oil manicures, microderm abrasion, exfoliating scrub, waxing and hydrating masks. Each client, at both the nail salon and tanning salon, has their own sanitary box of supplies, which is a great detail!

Marguerite's also offers many salon quality products available right in the store. For hair, Bernice offers Redken, Paul Mitchell, ABBA, Bain de Terre, Biolage, and Aquage. For tanning, there's Australian Gold and California Tan, and for nails, she and Karen offer OPI. This way, customers can keep that "fresh from the salon" look for weeks after leaving.

On weekends, a fun and unique service at Marguerite's Beauty Salon is hosting and catering little girls' birthday parties (up to age 14). Offering ear piercing as well, these little gals will feel like princesses after getting their hair and nails done while enjoying refreshments. Party-goers are welcome to bring their own cake or pizza if you like; call for details.

Bernice credits many people with the success of her business. One that certainly stands out is her husband, Buster. Buster is a well-known, long-time resident of the area, who many recognize as he delivers the mail. He has coached football and baseball for years at the school, and has obviously been and indispensable handyman for all the gals at the shop as well.

Having good neighbors is always nice, and Bernice says she certainly does. Craig Carlson, next door at Fiesta Candy has helped the girls with everything from faxing and copying, to opening those hard to twist bottles of nail polish (everyone sends their special thanks to Craig).

On Sunday, December 5 from 2-4 p.m., Marguerite's will be celebrating their 50th year with an open house right at the salon. Appetizers, hors d' oeuvres and refreshments will be served along with a raffle, door and grand prizes, and all with the soothing, live background music provided by a harp player. Marguerite, Bernice, Karen and their family have much to celebrate, so stop in and help them; they would love to see you.

From proms to weddings to day-to-day events, Marguerite's Beauty Salon is the place to go for style in a comfortable setting. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be reached at (603) 926-3077.