Letter from Jackie Fielder, District Supervisor to Richard Kurylo, Legacy Business Program Manager, Legacy Business Program, San Francisco Office of Small Business nominating Glama-Rama! as a San Francisco legacy business:
Dear Mr Kurylo,
I am proud to nominate Glama-Rama Salon for inclusion in San Francisco’s Legacy Business Registry. For over thirty years, Glama-Rama has stood as a cornerstone of the Mission District, anchoring the neighborhood with creativity, inclusivity, and community spirit that reflect the very best of San Francisco’s values.
Founded in 1994 by Deena Davenport, Glama-Rama began as a five-chair salon on South Van Ness Avenue and quickly became a beloved hub within the city’s drag, queer, and artistic communities. In 2007, the business moved to its current home at 304 Valencia Street, where it continues to thrive under the ownership of Scoots (Katey) Mckee. Scoots, who began as a stylist at Glama-Rama in 2012, has built upon the salon’s foundation of artistry and inclusion while expanding its reputation as one of San Francisco’s most innovative and welcoming beauty establishments.
From its inception, Glama-Rama has been more than just a salon. It has provided a safe, affirming, and celebratory space for people across the gender spectrum and from all walks of life. Known for its artistry in curly hair, color, short cuts, and textured styling, the salon is equally renowned for pioneering gender-affirming hair services, a practice that has profoundly impacted trans and nonbinary clients throughout Northern California. Beyond its technical excellence, Glama-Rama has distinguished itself through its role as a gathering space, an incubator for creativity, and a supporter of community resilience.
The salon’s influence reaches beyond its doors. Over the years, Glama-Rama has hosted art exhibitions, supported local performers, organized fundraisers for schools and grassroots organizations, and provided free haircutting events for LGBTQ and unhoused community members. Its staff has worked closely with cosmetology schools to mentor and train future professionals, establishing a respected assistant training program and developing new apprenticeship pathways that allow stylists to learn while working. Founder Deena Davenport played a critical role in preserving the Mission’s independent character by co-founding the Valencia Corridor Merchants Association, and Scoots Mckee has continued that legacy through her own civic involvement and community partnerships.
Glama-Rama’s contributions have been recognized widely. The salon was named a San Francisco Small Business Honoree in 2019, has received numerous “Best of” awards from local publications and community outlets, and was honored by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman in 2022 for its cultural and neighborhood significance. Its iconic pink storefront on Valencia Street is not only a vibrant landmark but also a symbol of the joyful and inclusive energy the business radiates throughout the community. The building itself has been recognized by the San Francisco Planning Department as a historic resource, further grounding Glama-Rama’s place in the city’s cultural and architectural fabric.
Glama-Rama Salon embodies the resilience, artistry, and inclusivity that define San Francisco’s independent business community. It is a place where self-expression is celebrated, where generations of stylists have built their careers, and where community members have found both beauty and belonging. At a time when small businesses face extraordinary challenges from rising rents and economic pressures, recognition on the Legacy Business Registry will not only honor Glama-Rama’s history but also help ensure its future as a vital San Francisco institution.
For these reasons, I highly recommend the inclusion of Gia ma-Rama Salon in the San Francisco Legacy Business Registry.
Thank you for considering this nomination.