Missouri College of Cosmetology abruptly closes, deletes website

Ryan Collingwood, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read
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The Missouri College of Cosmetology after more than 40-years in business.
The Missouri College of Cosmetology after more than 40-years in business.

Before deleting its Facebook page on Wednesday, the Missouri College of Cosmetology in Springfield posted an announcement of its 41-year-old institution's closure.

A voicemail greeting echoed the news.

"We are saddened to inform everyone that Missouri College of Cosmetology, Barber, and Esthetics is permanently closed," the post read. "We want to thank our customers, students, staff, and friends for over 40 years of service to our community."

Its website MissouriCosmo.com is also offline.

Comments posted by former and current students online suggested the closure was due to dwindling finances, enrollment, and staff. The News-Leader's attempts seeking comment from owner Jeff Stanley were unsuccessful.

Stanley told KY3 on Wednesday that the pandemic was a contributing factor, and that he is issuing refunds to students forced to finish their schooling elsewhere.

The announcement of closure appears to have surprised students, who said they were informed at the school Monday morning, just before the business permanently closed its doors.

More:These 13 Springfield restaurants closed their doors in 2022

The Missouri College of Cosmetology after more than 40-years in business.
The Missouri College of Cosmetology after more than 40-years in business.

Springfield still offers multiple cosmetology school options. Ozark Technical Community College is also looking to incorporate an cosmetology school program that could be available as soon as 2024.

Salon Truth is among the businesses looking to pick up former students and staff.

"Missouri College of Cosmetology abruptly shut down yesterday, leaving many students and staff without jobs or finishing their paid-for education," the business said on its Facebook page. "Salon Truth can help you can work here while you finish up school somewhere else on a student certificate because we have a masters license."

The Missouri School of Cosmetology, located at 3014 E. Sunshine St. in the Southern Hills Shopping Center, sent hundreds of students into the workforce before its demise.

The business was founded in 1981 by Roddie Hughes before Stanley, a former student of the school, took over ownership in 1996. It was accredited through the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences.

Correction: A previous version of this story noted a new cosmetology school at Ozarks Technical Community College. OTC is still in the planning stages of the program, and is aiming for a 2024 or 2025 start date.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Pandemic fallout leads to closure of Missouri School of Cosmetology