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Rachel Is Ready For You

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Rachel Mushow hams it up in front of her business, Rachel’s Family Salon, which she opened Aug. 21 at 5473 U.S. 41 N.

By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2008

APOLLO BEACH - Moving to Florida was a bit of a fluke for Rachel Mushow.

Her husband, Bob, 54, wanted to retire eventually from New Hampshire to the Sunshine State, but Mushow, a hairstylist and owner of Rachel's Family Salon, had no similar inclination.

As a joke, she made a deposit on a lot in Harbour Isles three years ago. Part of the ruse, she said, was she could open a shop in the small plaza behind M&I Bank and walk to work from Harbour Isles.

"I figured he'd get over it," she said.

In August 2007, Bob was diagnosed with cancer and shortly thereafter had a kidney removed.

That October, KB Homes called to say the company was ready to build the Mushows a home.

"I panicked," Mushow said. "Bob was still in the hospital, and I had a home, salon and his paving business to sell. The joke was on me now.

"But after I learned my husband was in the clear, I just went with it."

Last February, the couple moved to Apollo Beach and signed a lease to open her business, which is next to Sava Cafe.

The salon opened Aug. 21.

Bob works as a bartender at the Davis Islands Yacht Club in Tampa.

"I love the area," she said. "The people here are great and very supportive.

"Anyone who walks in the door is family to me. I'm a people person."

Business has been steady in the two-chair salon, she said. "And every week, it's getting better."

RACHEL'S FAMILY SALON