Biba Salon for Children, located at 44 Elm St., officially opened on Dec. 1, yet Belgis Proushani is far from new to business in Los Gatos. In fact, she's also the owner of the delightful coffee shop Café Rouge, conveniently located right next door to Biba Salon. The salon caters to youngsters ages 1 and up (including that all-important first haircut), and teens seeking styling for proms and special occasions.

"As the owner of both Café Rouge and Biba Salon for Children, I split my time between both places," says Proushani, who had previously worked part time at other Los Gatos salons. "It makes it especially convenient if someone calls and wants to make an appointment within 10 minutes of calling, as I can usually manage to accommodate them."

"My goal was to put more energy toward children," she adds. "Children are all about the truth—no pretending, no falseness. If they're unhappy, they cry; if they're happy, they laugh—it's a more pure reality.

"Since I was young, I always had a special connection with children, seniors and animals—those with the innocent energy. People tell me I have a wonderful energy for being around children, which is important when working with sensitive young people," Proushani says. "Many people are happy to find this service close by instead of having to travel to South San Jose or Willow Glen.

"Since Bunny Cuts left, there hasn't been another haircutting service that specializes in haircuts for children. We are different from other child-centered salons in that we explain to them it is a grown-up activity so they understand a different behavior is expected. Sometimes the toys and videos in other salons create the atmosphere of a playground and end up overstimulating children instead of relaxing them. The parents tell me they and their children find my style and atmosphere to be very soothing, friendly and peaceful."

Proushani currently has two stations and hopes to add another two stations within a year. Other stylists have already expressed interest in joining her. In the next few months, she also hopes to offer special services for teens, such as hair highlighting, and perhaps add a manicurist.

Biba Salon for Children is currently open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.—closed Monday. Services are available by appointment only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. The price for basic cuts is $15; designer cuts (including shampoo and style) cost about $25. The salon can be reached by calling 408.395.9562.

Farah Barari, owner of Fashion Pro, has been in business for two years at 114 Royce St., Suite E. Officially a seamstress specializing in custom tailoring and alterations, her true passion and forte is bridal work.

Barari first studied fashion design in Germany 30 years ago and has been in her current line of business for more than 15 years. She moved to Northern California three years ago to be closer to her family—besides her sister, their mother lives here, as does Barari's son.

"As the owner of a small business, I couldn't afford to do much advertising, but my word of mouth has been great. I do a lot of bridal work for brides and grooms—as well as mothers of the brides and grooms. Often they had such a positive experience with owning professionally tailored clothes for the first time that they come back to me with regular clothes that need adjustments," Barari says. "For brides, I create whatever fantasy look they have in their minds. With many people reselling or donating bridal gowns, my work is especially needed and appreciated. I can make the style that looks right but fits wrong end up fitting perfectly for them."

Her true area of specialty is in the bustle. "Designing bustles is so much fun. They are all so different, as each should be customized to a bride's body type and needs, such as being able to pull it up when they dance, etc.," Barari says. "I try to create a bustle that perfectly expresses each bride's personality. When a bride sees how she looks in it—how it displays her style—she is usually so pleased. I have one customer, Sally Walsh, who was so thrilled with my work she wrote up a letter of recommendation she has been passing out to tell others about me."

Fashion Pro is available for appointments most weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 408.354.8292 to set up a time.

Sadly, another Los Gatos business is closing its doors. Four Green Fields, the Irish home and gift store owned by Debi and Jim Curley and located at 29 N. Santa Cruz Ave., is liquidating all of its inventory, including store fixtures, furniture and equipment, effective immediately. Additional special discount fliers are available in the front of the store. Call 408.354.5567 with questions. To Debi and Jim, good-bye and thank you. Your shop was a haven of peace and gentility here, and we wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Do you have or know about a cool new Los Gatos business, a hot news tip or a business anniversary or special event to announce? We'd love to hear about it. Contact Michelle C. Crowe at 408.378.9056 or a1writers@hotmail.com.