The concept of a salon originated during medieval times in France and, instead of focusing on beauty, it served as a gathering place for people to swap stories, discuss politics, and catch up with their neighbors. At least one woman is trying to uphold this tradition, right here in Harvard.

Newbury Street West, a unisex hair salon located inside the home of owner Sharon Ursch at 100 Still River Road, strives to create a comfortable, inviting experience for customers—one that keeps them coming back.

In operation for 22 years, Newbury Street West pays homage to Ursch’s humble beginnings on Newbury Street in Boston, where she first picked up the scissors.

Ursch, who also teaches yoga locally, began her extensive hairstyling career while attending college in Boston. She was offered a position at a competitive beauty spa and took it, never expecting that she would discover her passion. Ursch learned the tricks of the trade and remained at the spa for 15 years.

Finally moving out of Boston to start a family, Ursch settled in Harvard and focused on her children, giving up hairdressing in the process. But she couldn’t ignore her calling for long. Ursch recalls one particularly exhausting day when her husband, Tom, made a simple promise that changed everything. She recounts, “He said, ‘If you let me take a nap, you can have whatever you like.’ When he woke up, I asked for a salon, and he surprisingly came through.”

What really sets Newbury Street West apart, says Ursch, is the experience. “There’s a level of intimacy here that you don’t find anywhere else,” she explains. “It’s definitely not jumpy or rushed. It is more like a gathering amongst friends to talk about books, life, and have fun, like the old sense of the word.”

Some clients enjoy some things that are not normally found at a salon: sandwiches, tea, and even a crisp glass of wine can accompany a relaxing cut. “It’s intensely personal, a real one-on-one experience,” explains Linda Moore, a frequent customer. “Coming here is like visiting a friend.”

And that is what a lot of her clients are: friends. “Forming a connection with my customers is a big thing,” Ursch notes. With no advertisements or signs out front—it looks like an ordinary house—business spreads largely by word-of-mouth. But once you become a customer, it can be hard to leave. “I still have people coming out from Boston just to get their hair cut because they like my work,” says Ursch.

There is no specific list of services offered at Newbury Street West, as in a typical beauty shop, because each customer receives a custom cut. “It is a full-service, unisex hair salon that adapts to the needs of the individual clients,” Ursch says. This includes washing, cutting, adding highlights, and more. However, she cautions that since it is not a spa, it doesn’t offer treatments such as manicures or facials.

Customer loyalty has been a key factor in keeping the salon busy. During this time of economic hardship, where everyone has been affected one way or another, Newbury Street West has not seen a decline in business. Ursch says, “People’s hair continues to grow, so it’s [the weak economy] been fine. They might let it grow one more week, but they still come in eventually.”

People can schedule appointments by calling Newbury Street West at 978-456-3471.

“I always stay busy, but there’s always room for more, and I won’t turn anyone away,” Ursch says.