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Despite the recession, hair salons are enjoying a spike in business
Joann Terrelong has been getting her hair cut at Astor Hair in the East Village for 18 years. The Bronx resident stops by the discount salon, located in the basement of a building near the busy corner of Astor Place and Broadway, every three or four months for a cut and the occasional highlight.
Terrelong patronized fancier salons when she was younger, but now she doesn’t see much point to plunking down a small fortune for a haircut. “You pay more for the name, and they don’t give you a good style,” she said. “Who doesn’t want to save money?”
Although many people are fighting the temptation to buy new clothes or eat out during the recession, one treat they’re less likely to give up is a good haircut. Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and skin care providers experienced a 4.5 percent increase in sales in the last 12 months, according to Sageworks, a retail consulting and research firm in Raleigh, N.C. Low-price salons, in particular, seem to be reaping the benefits.
Mundo Rivera, 31, of Astoria, Queens, has been going to the same barber at Astor Hair for 15 years and the recession has not kept him away. The main reason is the salon’s prices. A haircut starts at just $14. “The rates keep me coming back,” he said.
Angela Ranieri, the manager of a Supercuts salon in the East Village, said business is on the rise. Business “has gone up for the most part,” she said, adding that the stylists at the salon bring in their own clientele.
Despite a steady stream of customers, the salon has cut back on some unnecessary expenses, said Ranieri, who sports short platinum blonde hair highlighted by a wide patch of pink bangs. “The holiday party is gone,” she said.
Haim Hazan, director of Lifestyle hair salon near Union Square, said that beauty shops are “recession-proof” because New Yorkers like to pamper themselves. “We have clients from Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, Uptown, Midtown, and, of course, all of the students around,” he said.
Hazan is hoping to encourage repeat business by rolling out more specials. His salon is currently offering first-time male clients and walk-in customers a hair wash and cut for $28. For women, the price is $40.
Of course, good customer service is just as important as affordable prices. Hazan’s salon has a warm and friendly vibe. Even first-time customers are welcomed like regulars. “Hello, beautiful. How may I help you?” is a typical greeting from one stylist.
Back at Astor Hair in the East Village, the barber chairs were filled on a recent Saturday afternoon. The buzz of clippers and the hum of blow driers echoed through the shop.
John Vezza, who owns Astor Hair with his father and his brother, said the salon is seeing more foot traffic than last year. “I see a lot of new faces, a lot of new clients lately,” he said. “And once they come in, we make sure we do the best work possible to keep them coming back.”
