George Beshilas celebrates 50 years at George's Hair Designs in Western Springs

WESTERN SPRINGS — A 16-year-old boy left the only home he ever knew in Greece and traveled to America.

He went alone, knowing only that he'd be staying in Chicago with his first cousin. And though he spoke a little English, he wasn't scared.

"I was very excited," said the now 73-year-old George Beshilas. "At the age of 16, you seek adventure."

He was already an American citizen through his father, who had lived in the country for more than 20 years before moving to Greece. But in order to maintain his citizenship, he had to live in the country by the time he was 16.

"That's why I came," Beshilas said. "My dad loves the U.S."

And so does Beshilas, who found adventure through work, love and luck in his more than half-century here. And now, the owner of George's Hair Designs in Western Springs will be celebrating his 50th anniversary this spring with the local business.

But the path to the Western Springs resident's golden moment wasn't an easy one.

As a teenager, Beshilas worked between 70 to 80 hours a week at a grocery store. It was there, he said, he learned what it takes to make it in America.

"All I did in Greece was go to school and play soccer," he said. "But when I came here, I was willing to work as much as it took."

Part of that, Beshilas said, was learning to speak the language. That was why even after working most of the day, Beshilas took night classes.

He then met his wife, Kathy, a home economics teacher at Lyons Township High School, and the two were married Dec. 30, 1962. Sixteen days after he tied the knot, Beshilas was asked to serve in the military. But a trick knee discovered during the physical kept him out, he said.

After five years working at the grocery store, Beshilas decided to go to the American School of Beauty Culture in Chicago.

"I had no previous experience as far as hairdressing was concerned," Beshilas said.

After school, Beshilas attempted time and again to get a job at various salons and barber shops.

"It was very difficult to get into this business when you find shop owners that won't help you," Beshilas said. "I told myself if I ever had my own shop, I would never do things that way."

He saw the Garden Market Beauty Shop in Western Springs one day after dropping his wife off at LT.

"I had gone in and asked if they needed anyone," Beshilas said. "They said no, but it was for sale."

That's when his wife's parents stepped in. They asked Beshilas during one of their weekly dinners why he didn't buy it.

He hesitated at first because of the money, but his in-laws gave him a loan to purchase the shop on June 1, 1963.

"I told them, 'I am not afraid of work. I'll work hard and do my best,'" he said.

And true to his word, Beshilas worked hard — so much so, that he was able to pay the loan back in less than a year.

"And with my family and God's help, I'm still there, nearly 50 years later," he said.

Beshilas has run his shop with the same guiding principle he had when he was a boy trying to get a job at other salons: He would always help those who needed it.

"I paid attention to the things I could control: being pleasant, being accommodating," he said. "This is a family atmosphere. I don't think I could have lasted all these years in a place of strife and jealousy."

Lucia Trifon of La Grange came to America from Romania in 1987, speaking very little English. Through a friend, she was able to get a job doing manicures and pedicures at George's Hair Designs in 1990.

"It's been a very good experience," the 55-year-old Trifon said. "They have a huge regard for family. They are wonderful people."

While things have changed over five decades of business — adding technologies that were "Greek" to Beshilas, he said — he hasn't forgotten his humble beginnings.

"I still sweep the floor," he said. "Not only my section, but the others."