Crafty Cuts in Middleborough
523 Center St
Middleborough, MA 02346
Phone: 508-946-4560
While strolling along Centre Street in my hometown of Middleborough, my mom, Ric, Tony and I came across Crafty Cuts, a hair salon. Crafty Cuts has steps leading to the front entry door. We mistakenly assumed Crafty Cuts is inaccessible because there was no handicap accessible sign pointing to another entrance.
After originally posting a 0 Star review on June 02, 2009 we were notified by Mari Noska, the owner. Mari told us there is wheelchair access through the door in back of the salon. She also told us when she opened the Salon 7 years ago she did everything possible to make it wheelchair accessible for she has many disabled clients in wheelchairs.
My friends and I take pride in posting comprehensive and honest reviews. Today, June 19, 2009 my mom, Tony, Kevin and I called Mari to ask if we could come to re-review Crafty Cuts. Mari kindly agreed.
We parked in a handicap accessible parking space located behind the salon and close to the rear entry door. Mari placed this handicap accessible parking sign 7 years ago. Mari warmly greeted me and led us through a back room that is plenty wide enough to fit my chair and easy to enter the salon.
Mari warmly told me that she does all she can to provide services for physically disabled.
- All shampoo chairs slide away to allow wheelchair access to the sinks.
- All client cutting chairs move so a wheelchair can be placed in front of the mirrors.
- Mari even has hair shampoo funnels so she can shampoo disabled clients who aren’t capable of laying backwards.
- All equipment can be moved if needed.
Mari told us she was not aware of the need to post a handicap access sign to the rear door. She has already posted a handicap sign at the front entry door stating there is wheelchair access in the rear!!
I asked Mari for her business card. I will definitely make an appointment for a haircut when I need one in the future.
I give Crafty Cuts in Middleborough FOUR STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the Fifth Star they would need to install an automatic entry door so a person in a wheelchair can enter independently. This is above ADA requirements but required for a 5 Star rating.
I give Mari Noska FIVE STARS PLUS for being compassionate, sensitive, caring and kind. Thank you Mari for providing access to wheelchair-seated customers!
June 18th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Hello, I’m Mari the owner of Crafty Cuts hair salon. I’m sorry you didn’t call the Salon before you posted this comment. I have several handicap clients that come into the salon on a weekly basis. All wheelchairs, walkers, and baby strollers enter through the back door where there is plenty of parking & a flat enterance. I’m sorry for your misunderstanding, when I opened up my Salon 7 years ago making the salon handicap accessible was on the top of my list due to having several clients that are in wheelchairs!
June 18th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Hi Mari,
Before we post a review, we usually ask the owner if there is an ‘alternate handicap accessible entrance’. The day we came by was on a Monday and your salon was closed.
My mom, Tony, Ric and I all went to the back of the building and saw a back door. There was NO sign on the door and NO ‘handicap accessible entrance’ sign posted so we thought there was ‘No Access’ to your salon.
It would be helpful to persons in wheelchairs if you:
(1) Post a ‘handicap accessible entrance sign’ at the front of your salon – that directs customers to an accessible rear door
(2) Post a ‘wheelchair accessible entrance sign’ on your rear door.
Posting these signs will let wheelchair customers know you have access, even if it is only at the back door.
June 18th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Hi Kenny,
Thank you for your tips on posting the signs, I will post them this weekend.
I just wish I had received a phone call before you posted your comments. I would of posted the signs as soon as you brought your concerns to my attention, without publicly writing a bad review.
I really go out of my way to please all my clients so the big fat 0 on rating my salon was very upsetting to me.
Sincerely,
Mari
P.S. All clients that enter my back door are considered VIP!
June 19th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Kenny,
I come from a family that has always been concerned about buildings being wheelchair accessible. My loving sister was in a wheelchair throughout her life. Unfortunately she passed away three years ago. However throughout her life she was very active in fighting for equal rights and accessibility to all buildings for people with disabilities. I always admired her for her work and efforts to advocate for her peers.
Kenny I would like to thank you for your efforts in this fight. It is worth fighting for. However it is so important that you get your facts straight before you post comments on your web page.
I have been going to Crafty Cuts for many many years. I’ve witnessed Mari’s efforts to make sure that her salon is assessable for all of her clients. If you had researched your facts, you would have found out that the wheelchair accessible entrance is in the rear of the building. She even has a posted parking spot for handicap parking. Not only does she make sure that her salon on the outside is accessible, she also makes sure that her salon is accessible on the inside.
Again I thank you for your efforts in this cause; however it is your responsibility to ensure that your facts are correct. I believe you need to apologize to this salonas well as the owner and thank her for their efforts.
Again thank you for your efforts in this cause,
Donna Holt
June 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I am disappointed to learn that someone from Middleborough would critique a hometown business without all the facts. I have been a customer of Mari’s for almost ten years. To date, Mari has gone out of her way to accomodate any disabled person to be able to have access to her salon. To me, the signs, although important, may not even be necessary due to the very close relationships Mari forges with her clients. This salon is more than just a business. It is a place to gather with friends and family. Mari gives back to the community in a variety of ways. Just recently she ran a fund raiser for the Middleborough dog shelter. Helping rather than just judging is a more compassionate approach. Especially in this day and age where we all feel the affects of the economy.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Hello,
I have been a client of Crafty Cuts for several years. I have had multiple knee issues including two surgeries. The handicap entrance is in the rear of the building and there is a sign posted to that effect during business hours. I agree with the above entry; recently Mari and others joined together and raised over $ 1700. for the Middleboro Animal Shelter. This is a place of business that means so much more to people and the community. I feel your treatment of Crafty Cuts is totally unfair and unjust and you owe Craty Cuts and it’s owner Mari an apology and another correct review. A competent reviewer would speak with the owner during business hours, giving the owner ample opportunity to answer any and all questions. I certainly question your credentials, ethics and the legal issue of defamation of character in this review posted by yourself.
June 19th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Kenny is one of the most compassionate and caring people I know. I don’t think he owes anyone an apology. Plus I don’t think he purposely mislead anyone. You did not have the required signage posted to your accessible door!
June 19th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Hello readers,
Kenny posted as accurate review as he saw because there was no signage posted to the alternate accessible route.
The MA AAB 521 CMR regulation and ADA regulation both REQUIRE signage posted for alternate accessible entrances.
1.) MA AAB 521 CMR regulation;
http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/dps/aab_regs/521041.pdf
41.1.3 Elements and spaces of accessible facilities which shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility (See Fig. 41a) and which shall comply with 521
CMR 41.7, Symbols of Accessibility are:
c. Accessible entrances when not all are accessible (inaccessible entrances shall have directional signage to indicate the route to the nearest accessible entrance);
2.) Americans with Disabilities Act
ADA Title III Technical Assistance Manual
Covering Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities
http://www.ada.gov/taman3.html
III-7.5165 Signage (ADAAG §§4.1.3(16); 4.30.7). Different requirements apply to various types of signs:
1) Signs designating permanent rooms and spaces (e.g. , men’s and women’s rooms, room numbers, exit signs) must have raised and Brailled letters; must comply with finish and contrast standards; and must be mounted at a certain height and location.
Directional signs that are on the exterior of the building generally have the universal symbol & and arrow pointing to the accessible path of travel to the accessible entrance.
Scott Ricker
Volunteer Access Specialist
Tel-(413) 569-2269
ptbagger@verizon.net
June 19th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Dear Liz,
I truly believe that Kenny is a wonderful person who is dedicated to his cause. However not having a sign does not been it is not assessable. It simply means there is no sign. Truly a score of five would not be appropriate, however a zero clearly indicates to me that it is totally not accessible. That is not true. When reporting you need to report the truth. All of the truth. That is what my sister showed me and practiced!
Thanks,
Donna Holt
June 19th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I’ve been downtown in middleboro and even by your salon and I’m in a wheelchair too. I had no idea this salon was accessible either so the point is if NO SIGN IS POSTED NO WILL KNOW IT’S ACCESSIBLE!
Kenny came to the same conclusion I did. It’s an easy fix but the fault lies with the owner. I see the owner knows this now and wants to change it. Which is GREAT! I hope Kenny goes back and gets back to us with his findings.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Wow, Sorry I can’t be so nice. I can’t believe that someone would tare apart a business before they have all the facts. I believe the phone # is on the front window of the door. So a simply call would have eliminated a zero rating. I really wouldn’t put much stock in this guys rating. It sounds like he has no professional skills in this sort of thing. So, I would like to say that Mari, Crafty Cuts owner has been in business for several years now and does have a system for her handicap clients. She is usually booked, by appointments but does accept walkins. She will also refer them to other shops in the area if she can’t fit them in and they don’t want to wait for an appointment. How very nice. You don’t get that everywhere. It is a very humble and professional approach. As a customer, you are always treated with kindness and offered coffee, tea, water or sometimes even other goodies. The atmospher is great. She has items to buy on the walls or in the backroom because is also a craft store hense the name Crafty Cuts. Not to mention the happy clients returning for the next Crafty Cut. Did this rater know about all the fundraisers that Mari is always involved in. The most recent was for the Middleboro Dog shelter. Mari has hardly anytime to or for herself because she is really involved in helping other people and causes. Maybe BEFORE someone writes a bad review, they should really investigate or it is them that has the bad name. Never judge a book by it’s cover. ~ The owners brother, Jason ~ I give it a ***** 5 STAR RATING *****
June 19th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Hi Paul,
I just got back and posted a new 4 Star review. Mari told me that no one ever told her she should place a wheelchair access sign to the rear door. She placed one today so now everyone will know it is wheelchair accessible :>)
June 19th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Kenny, Thank you for taking the time to fix this. And sorry for unleasing in my first comment. You’re alright. I really like your last posting…and would have to say it was very fair. ~ The protective brother ~ Jason
June 19th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Hi Kenny!
Kudos to you and to Crafty Cuts for resolving this issue! I think that it is our responsibility to educate the public about the ADA Federal Rules and Massachusetts guidelines. This way everyone benefits!
Congratulations!
Kim
June 19th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Thank you everyone for your kind words in supporting me & my business. Thank you Kenny & your crew for stopping in for a visit to meet with me & to better judge my handicap enterance by personally coming inside yourself!
I will look forward to your future business and as always to make you feel like your at home away from your own home. I take pride in making my clients feel comfortable when they enter my doors!
Thanks again!
Sincerely
Mari Noska
June 19th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Thank you Kenny for visting the salon today and meeting with the most compassionate business person in Middleboro, in my opinion. I am glad to read that everything went well and a new rating has been established. Mari deserves all the praise anyone can muster!!
June 19th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Hi Alison,
I’m happy that I got to meet Mari and agree she is the most compassionate business person in Middleboro. I wish some of the other business owners in downtown Middleboro would learn from her good example.
June 20th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Hi Kenny,
I was so pleased to read that you went to Crafty Cuts and found it to be assessable to all people; with or without disabilities. As you mentioned, Mari is a most compassionate person who works hard to meet the needs of everyone who enters her place of business. Your score of her business is a fair one as well as the score describing her as a person.
Again I would like to thank you for your dedication to your cause, and if there is anything I can do, please let me know.
Hope to see you in the shop some time!
Thanks again,
Donna H.
June 20th, 2009 at 9:46 am
I am very happy to see the review has been upgraded. Mari and her staff have always been a very compassionate and accomodating group and I have enjoyed going there, as well as my family, for several years now. Not to mention the GREAT cuts and styles they provide.
Keep up the good work!
Judy M.