The Greta Garbo look, peek-a-boo bangs, poodle cuts, beehives, and Farah Fawcett hair have come and gone but one thing that still remains in style after 75 years is Sadie’s.

Sadie’s Salon reigns not just as the longest continuing business in Manteca but also as the city’s largest hair styling salon. Not only does Sadie’s have a loyal following as well as a new generation of customers but many of their stylists have been a part of the salon for 25, 35, and even 42 years.

The fact Sadie’s is still going strong on its diamond anniversary is a tribute to the late Sadie Cabral and her sense of style, devotion to clients, and outgoing personality. It also is a credit to son Tim Cabral’s business acumen and commitment to continuing on the tradition his mother started in a one-station salon in 1937 in a house near the MRPS Hall.

“It takes a lot of creativity to be a successful stylist,” Cabral said in praise of Sadie’s stylists.

Tim as a youngster would work after school at the current location in the Cabral Center building just east of Manteca High on Yosemite Avenue that his father Tony along with his mother built in 1958. He grew up in the salon helping clean up.

The way Cabral figures it, he had an excellent mentor when it came to business smarts - his mother.

“A lot of people think it is easy to run a salon,” Cabral said. “It takes a lot of hard work and knowledge to run a business like this.”

Cabral, just like his mother did, has a knack for making clients feel as if they are longtime friends and not simply someone who patronizes Sadie’s.

Sadie Cabral is a legend in California Cosmetology Association circles. She was recognized for having the longest continuous salon with the same owner - more than 70 years - when she was still alive.

The career in beauty salon started because Sadie’s mother didn’t want her to travel outside of Manteca to take a job.

Sadie told of how her mother bought the original salon for $300 and also sent $1,500 on new styling equipment. At first she said she wasn’t happy with what her mother had done because she didn’t want to go into business for herself. She doubted she had enough styling experience to be a success.

Her doubts proved to be wrong. After 22 years out of her home, she moved to the current location in 1958. She also had a second location in the old El Rey Theatre that is now Kelley Brothers.

Her philosophy for life was simple: Hard work and the support of family coupled with loyal customers and anyone can be a success.

Sadie’s philosophy is mirrored by her son - and the stylists - that are keeping Manteca’s oldest business still in the same family going strong.