When Sandra Gershonowitz opened the doors to her newly renovated Bella Jeans Salon in Eastport, it wasn’t just the start of a new chapter; it was the culmination of a lifelong dream, handcrafted with love, talent, and years of perseverance.
A 23-year resident of Eastport, Sandra is no stranger to the neighborhood. Over the years, she’s become more than a stylist—she’s become a trusted friend, a confidante, and a steady presence in the lives of hundreds of clients who have followed her from salon to salon. So when news spread that she had transformed a space of her own on Main Street, there was no question her loyal team and clientele would follow.
“She’s amazing,” said her good friend Tova Keblish of Gavin’s Treasures. “She has such a big heart. She’s the hardest-working person I’ve ever met, and she takes care of so many people.”
And that spirit of care, of putting others first, radiates from every inch of Bella Jeans Salon. Sandra completely reimagined the space with her own design. The gorgeous, one-of-a-kind counters with raw wood edges, richly grained and smooth to the touch, were custom-crafted by artisans with Live Edge Long Island, adding natural warmth to a salon that feels more like a second home than a business.
“I love what I do,” Sandra said. “I wake up every morning excited to come in.”
It’s a passion she discovered after a brief detour. Initially studying at BOCES to become a medical assistant, Sandra realized drawing blood wasn’t for her. A job at a salon in the Smith Haven Mall changed everything. She went on to train at the Wilford Academy in Selden, and from that moment, she never looked back.
Sandra sharpened her skills and built a following at Club Medford, where the salon’s owner eventually offered to sell the business to her. With her mother’s support, she took the leap and renamed it Bella Janes — the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey.
From there, she worked at various salons, including a friend’s shop in Eastport. She later left to manage another location, but when the chance came to return and move into the Eastport space outright, she didn’t hesitate. Bella Jeans, named in tribute to her original salon and a nod to new beginnings, was born.
The salon is a true family affair. Sandra’s niece, Julia Umlauft of Shirley, has worked alongside her for nine years. Maureen Nowa of Eastport has been by her side just as long. Fran S. of Bayport, a 13-year colleague, summed it up best: “When we found out she was opening her own shop, we grabbed our bags to join her.” Janine Olibar of Manorville has complimented the staff for a year and a half.
Through it all, Sandra has touched thousands of lives with scissors, color, kindness, and conversation. Her specialties include highlights, precision haircuts, Brazilian Blowouts, textured body waves, and color transformations. She styles men, women, and children for weddings, proms, and life’s everyday moments.
Clients sing her praises with heartfelt sincerity. Marlene Sharinn, who has been coming to Sandra for 20 years, said, “I go to Sandra because she’s so good at what she does. When I come here, it’s like home. She’s easygoing, good people.”
Sonia Match, a 10-year client, shared: “As soon as I found Sandra, that was it. She knows exactly what to do with my hair, and she listens. She guided me through going gray, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Even other local business owners came to celebrate. Ausra Wachtel, who runs the nearby Amber European Spa, attended the grand reopening and said simply, “She’s wonderful.”
Sandra’s story is one of transformation, not just of hair, but of space, of spirit, and of purpose. From meeting her husband, Danny, at Danford’s in Port Jefferson to raising their family in Eastport, she has built a life full of connection and beauty. Now, with Bella Jeans Salon, she has created a space where all of that love and hard work can shine. It’s not just a salon. It’s Sandra’s legacy—built by hand, by heart, and with a community that loves her back.