Before you read too much into the name of my salon, let me explain.

First of all, it is an old nursery rhyme from the 1600s– “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” Here’s what the esteemed and scholarly internet is saying about the meaning:

“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride” is an English language proverb and nursery rhyme, first recorded about 1628 in a collection of Scottish proverbs, which suggests if wishing could make things happen, then even the most destitute people would have everything they wanted. (Wikipedia)

This is interesting and all, but on a much more personal note, If Wishes Were Horses was the name of a vintage clothing store in downtown Cleveland, Ohio in the 80s that I loved. It has long since closed and the building where this shop resided in the beautiful Old Arcade, a stunning example of Beaux Arts architecture built in 1890, has since become the home of a corporate hotel and a smattering of offices and generic shops. Sigh.

Anyway, If Wishes Were Horses (the vintage clothing shop) was a special place for me as a punk rocker/goth chick growing up in the 80s in the mid-west when it wasn’t yet cool to be alternative. I bought some great things from that shop (The woman who owned it was way cool too, so I was just in love with the whole scene).

So all those years ago, I remember saying to myself that if I ever had a shop of my own, I would name it If Wishes Were Horses. That place was so special and important in my life for many reasons but mostly because it gave me hope. Hope that there was beauty and interesting things everywhere, even in industrial Cleveland. That hope inspired me and was the catalyst for me to leave and see some more of the world.

This is my third salon, so if I wasn’t going to use this name now, then when? And that is how If Wishes Were Horses was born.