David Broadway

1942 - 2023

News story
By Mark Zaborney
Blade Staff Writer

David Broadway, a hairstylist, salon owner, and trendsetter, who for decades brought the latest styles in hair design, makeup, fashion, and personal care to his Toledo-area clientele, died Sunday at Hospice of Health First-Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, Fla. He was 80.

He had prostate cancer, his son, Darrin Broadway, said on Tuesday. Formerly of Perrysburg, David Broadway lived the last year in Florida.

He was active at his salon and photo studio, Broadway on the River in Perrysburg, until about five years ago.

He was best known for his high-end David Broadway Salon & Spa on Central Avenue in Sylvania Township, which closed in 2016 after 30 years. The salon experience there - hair, makeup, spa services - and even the building design itself were his concepts.

"He was a design thinker," the younger Mr. Broadway said. "He had a beautiful mind. Everything that came out of his mouth centered on hair, fashion, design, 24 hours a day.

"He was proud of Toledo, Ohio. He was proud of what hair design and fashion became," he said. "He had enthusiasm for his work. When you were in his chair, he asked his guests questions every step of the way throughout the haircut or makeup and how they felt about what was going on."

For several years in the 1980s, Mr. Broadway wrote a series of columns on beauty and fashion under the title "images" for Toledo magazine in The Blade. In the first installment, Mr. Broadway noted that the artistry of El Greco captured images of Spain's Toledo.

"The essence of Ohio's Toledo is communicated far and wide by - Toledo's woman. She personifies all that is beautiful in America," Mr. Broadway wrote in 1988. "Toledo's woman is Middle America, but she could turn heads on New York's Fifth Avenue and Los Angeles' Rodeo Drive or in London's Mayfair. She's a pacesetter, relaxed and comfortable, having defined her own sense of chic."

The younger Mr. Broadway said his father "created style that boosted women's feeling of personal freedom and confidence."

Former Toledo Mayor Donna Owens recalled that the late Tom Hart, who handled her mayoral campaign advertising, sent her to the Broadway salon.

"He did a makeover for me, and that's when I got contact lenses instead of glasses," she said. "He said, 'If you have a special event, just let me know, and I'll come over and get you ready.' I watched him grow and grow. It was a first-class salon."

Brian McMahon said that Mr. Broadway, a longtime friend, had the vision and wherewithal to build the type of salon and spa he'd seen in other markets.

"He was on the cutting edge. He was constantly exploring what is the new," Mr. McMahon said. "The people that was important to would go to David and find out what was the new look, and he knew how to create it. It was the best of anything."

Mr. McMahon said Mr. Broadway introduced him to his wife, Marcy, and when the McMahons married July 11, 1981, Mr. Broadway was best man.

"I considered him to be one of my lifelong best friends," said Mr. McMahon, president of Danberry National Ltd.

Mr. Broadway ensured his staff received top-flight training from beauty professionals worldwide.

"He was definitely known for keeping on top of all the styles - haircuts and finishes and makeup," said Rita Allen, director of education at the salon and spa.

"It was a full salon experience, and he wanted all the women to walk out feeling really good and really beautiful," said Ms. Allen, who first worked for Mr. Broadway in 1974 at his salon on Holland-Sylvania Road and Sylvania Avenue.

Joyce Taylor, a 25-year employee, said: "He offered his people great inspiration."

She recalled attending a prestigious conference at which he gave a presentation - and received three standing ovations.

"He was very respected internationally," said Ms. Taylor, a hair color specialist who became an educator. "He was very creative and talented, and no one could ever accuse him of thinking inside the box. He didn't even know there was a box."

Greg Hazelton went to work for Mr. Broadway in the late 1970s and later was a partner with him in the salon, Broadway/Hazelton.

"David was very exciting to work for and with," said Mr. Hazelton, retired from Salon Hazelton, which he and his wife, Karen, operated. "He was all about education. He set the benchmark when it comes to quality and how you treat people."

Mr. Broadway, over the decades, competed successfully in international hair competitions.

He was born Dec. 24, 1942, to Donna and Richard Broadway. He was a 1961 graduate of Maumee High School. He attended the University of Toledo and initially aspired to a medical career.

"He fell in love with fashion, hair design, and architecture," the younger Mr. Broadway said.

David Broadway found professional inspiration through the likes of hairstylist Vidal Sassoon and fashion designer Bill Blass.

He enjoyed cars, vacations on St. Barts, and visits to fashion centers of the world. His granddaughters, Lizze and Elle, "were his pride and joy," the younger Mr. Broadway said.

He was formerly married to Sharon Wysocki Farmer and Rhonda Turner Broadway.

Surviving are his son, Darrin Broadway, and two granddaughters.

A private memorial celebration of life event will be held later.

The family suggests tributes to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Society editor Barbara Hendel contributed to this report.