Hair By Lee & Friends came into being in September 2004, when Lee Goodnight purchased Kibby & Raymond’s Beauty Salon which had been a fixture at 328 Milwaukee Avenue in Orange Park since 1973. He spent four years updating and redecorating and modernizing the salon while working full time building a strong and loyal clientele. Hair By Lee & Friends is a chair rental, destination salon that has won Best of Clay Hair Salon twice and Barber Shop once. It has been a runner up three times as well.
Goodnight is a retired Naval Officer turned Cosmetologist. He obtained his Cosmetology license through an apprenticeship in Virginia and settled permanently in Lake Asbury in 1999. He is one of the few Board Certified Haircolorists in North Florida having attained that credential in 2000. He limits his practice to precision haircutting, hair coloring and blow dry styling. His four colleagues additionally can provide permanent waving, roller setting, keratin treatments and barbering services. Facial waxing is also available. Goodnight’s wife of 56 years, Lenore, does the bookkeeping, landscaping and seasonal decorations. Everyone at Hair By Lee & Friends works by appointment. Walk ins are accommodated when it can be done without inconveniencing a client with an appointment. Appointments are highly recommended.
Goodnight, an Eagle Scout (Class of 1963!) has always felt compelled to give back to the community. After doing Boy Scouts with his son he transitioned to Girl Scouts with his daughters and is in his 39th year as a volunteer with that organization. Having held American Canoe Association (ACA) certifications in Touring Canoe, River Canoe and Touring Kayak he still devotes six weekends to training other adult volunteers and older scouts. He has been a Locks of Love volunteer since 1998 and offers free cuts to hair donors willing to part with at least 10” of healthy hair. He spent 15 years leading Look Good…Feel Better workshops for women undergoing chemotherapy before the in person workshops were discontinued a few years ago. He still offers free pre- and post-chemo haircuts and coaching sessions for women facing the side effects of cancer treatment. Goodnight received the ACA Volunteer of the Year award in 2011. He won the Sexy Hair Products national “Caring is Sexy” contest in 2011 after having been runner up the previous year. At the local level in addition to Best of Clay, he has received the Appreciation Pin in 2012, and the “Man Enough to be a Girl Scout” certificate in 2024 from the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, the Hope Award from the Clay Chapter of the American Cancer Society in and , and a Best Business award in from the Chamber of Commerce.
Due to the recent retirements of three of his colleagues, he now has two styling stations and a semi-private room (the original barber shop) available for rent at $140/week. The roomy stations include a two-drawer file cabinet, a tall shelving unit and a storage cabinet in the work room. Tenants have their own key, set their own hours and run their own businesses. Contact Lee at (904) 264-2244 if you would like to know more.
Lisa is a licensed barber who does both men’s and women’s haircuts. She also enjoys doing permanent waving.
“I began renting a station at Hair by Lee, in January of 2020. It has been a very pleasant experience. A professional environment and friendly people to work with.
A washer and dryer is conveniently provided, so we all take turns with laundry. Come join us! Lisa Dardis”
Charla Dunaway is a traditional hairdresser with over 60 years behind the chair and several years as a beauty school instructor as well. She joined the team in 2022.
Goodnight has been a mentor to Kin Sweatland since she graduated from beauty school in. During her eight years at The Hair Cuttery in Fleming Island, she became a Redken Certified Hair Colorist and one of the top ten producers in the Southeast. She turned down an invitation to move into management with that company to join the team at Hair By Lee & Friends in 2020. .
Sue Beeskau worked as a team with Lisa Dardis and Tiina Tompkins (who retired in January) for 17 years before they joined Hair By Lee & Friends in 2010. She and Goodnight met through volunteering for the Kutting for Kids cut-a-thons 20 years ago.
“As a longtime client, I love the atmosphere of the salon—it’s welcoming and relaxed, yet still very professional. It doesn’t have the noise or impersonal feel of a large salon, and I always enjoy being there. If I were an independent stylist looking for a place to build my business while still having the freedom to make it my own, this is exactly the kind of environment I’d want to work in.” …Lisa Thurman (Patron since 2006)
“You need to try Hair By Lee & Friends in Orange Park for your next appointment! I have gotten my color and precision cut done there for many years, and my hair has always looked great. The attention to detailed cutting is incredible, and the color comes out vibrant, shiny, and super seamless every single time. Beyond the great work, the whole salon has such a warm, relaxed, and welcoming vibe—no loud chaos or rushed service, just real professionals who know what they’re doing. You would absolutely love them. There is no such thing as a “Bad Hair Day” at Hair By Lee and Friends, unlike some of my past ventures into other salons. This award-winning salon is your last and best choice!
- DD Stein, St. Augustine, FL” (Patron since 2009)
“I have been coming to Hair By Lee for so many years that I have lost count, and I can attest to the friendly, welcoming atmosphere over all these years. His clients are always treated so well and that is why we keep coming back. The other hair stylists do a fantastic job and have their own unique spaces to work from. It’s a great place to be whether working there or coming as a client for your hair needs. You won’t be disappointed.” … Linda Eason (Patron since 2008)
“I met Lee 16 years ago when my daughter was undergoing treatment for cancer, and Lee volunteered to teach an American Cancer Society class on hair and skin care. I live in Gainesville and, for the following year, I spent most of my time helping her family and became a client of Lee who, month after month, gave me such good haircuts that I was hooked.” … Duffy Ronayne (Patron since 2010)
“If you are a hairstylist, looking for a great place to set up shop I highly recommend Hair by lee and friends. I've been a client for over ten years!
I think what sets this shop apart is the attention to detail. The space is clean and the vibe is so comfortable and welcoming.
I always look forward to my appointment. I feel valued and taken care of in a genuine way. I am grateful because this kind of feeling is rare, you remember how people make you feel.” JoAnn Cohen (Patron since 2015)
