BROOKHAVEN — Vanity Vault The Salon celebrated a grand opening Thursday afternoon. The business is located at 112 West Monticello Street in Brookhaven. 

Kristen Farthing is the owner of Vanity Vault The Salon. She has worked in the industry for 15 plus years. Ken Whittington previously owned a salon called Whittington Berard The Salon where Farthing worked alongside him. 

“I had known him for a while and I knew him. We worked together for six or seven months. I had been to his classes though and knew of him,” Farthing said. 

A facebook post from Whittington offered a chance for Farthing to work by his side. She took it. They were a great match, got along and had fun at work. 

Whittington died in December 2023. He served in the US Navy for four years as a barber on a guided missile destroyer. Farthing said she has not quite gotten used to Ken being gone. She had her husband help her renovate the space. It has warm yellow walls, exposed brick and cypress wood boards and a fun atmosphere. 

“Ken was outgoing, fun and uplifting. I’m going to try and carry that on,” Farthing said. “I feel like he would like for me to carry that on. I’ll do my best to do like he did.” 

On the wall by the counter, Farthing has a little memorial to Whittington. She plans to keep his memory alive. 

Farthing is not originally from Brookhaven. She grew up in Monticello and moved around the state a few times. In Hattiesburg, she had her first opportunity to work in hair and cosmetology. 

“I moved to Jackson after Katrina and came back to Monticello and now I’m here,” Farthing said. “This is it I hope. I enjoy it. You have to enjoy your work. I’m grateful to my husband. He has been very supportive. We came to Brookhaven a lot growing up. I love the downtown area. My daughter goes to Brookhaven Academy and we like Brookhaven.”

Vanity Vault The Salon serves men, women and children. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A memorial service honoring Ken Whittington will be held at the Brookhaven Little Theatre on May 25 at 1 p.m. Food and fellowship will follow, RSVP with Kery Whittington Emfinger at 601-754-2331.