December 6
...serving up your daily dish.
If you're a gal*, there's little more frustrating that calling your regular hair salon and finding that your usual stylist has moved on. And they won't say where or give you the number.
Chances are if that's happened to you and you've been going to St. Ive's in Upper Montclair, you'll find the magic scissors over in West Caldwell at Antonio Michael Salon, where eight former employees of St. Ives now style hair, polish nails, answer the phone or sweep the floor.
No big deal, says Jeff Rothbard, attorney for St. Ives. "This stuff goes on. This is an industry where people have a following," he said in a phone interview, when we called St. Ive's for comment. "My client's been in business for 22 years. Let's see where all these other Johnny-come-latelys are in 22 years."
Meanwhile, if you're looking for someone over at Pelardis Salon in Montclair, where a gum-spitting spat a few months back escalated to an assault charge against the owner, Afrodite Pelardis of Bloomfield [UPDATE: Assault charge was eventually dropped, a commenter reports], we hear that you might want to try Esthetica Salon.
On the other hand, gals, here's a perfect job for citizen journalism. If you have a stylist or colorist who's changed places, let your friends and neighbors know.
*or perhaps even a metrosexual
Okay, I have to clear up the story on Pelardi's on South Park Street. It's a wonderful salon and Dede is a great owner and stylist.
The "assault charge" was dropped. What happened was, the owner, Dede Pelardi, was with a customer when a former employee who had been let go came to collect a paycheck. She grabbed Dede's hand, in which Dede held a pair of clippers. Dede cuts herself, goes to the hospital for stitches on two fingers, and then, after the ex-employee had returned home, decides to call police to report that SHE had been assaulted. Needless to say, the charges we later dropped, but that and the other details always tend to get glossed over.
You really should try Pelardi's, it's the kind of cool, independently-owned business that Montclair desperately needs. And Dede's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Just don't attack her when she's holding scissors!
John Kaminski
Posted by: JK | Dec 6, 2005 2:28:02 PM
And just so we're clear...
I've met John and he does sport a really nice haircut...
Posted by: Liz | Dec 6, 2005 2:50:37 PM
When I moved to GR 2 years ago I found a great place that's now closed (the person cutting my hair went back to school rather than to another place). Since then I've been going from place to place and can't find a good one.
A few weeks ago I couldn't take it anymore - I got a cut @ lunch time in the city. I'm sure I can find a cut in NJ for less then the $95 I paid in Manhattan.
Can someone please send me an email if your happy with your place in Baristaville? Thanks!
Posted by: Cait | Dec 6, 2005 2:57:34 PM
I suggest trying Public Image Ltd. Salon in Wayne. It is about 15 minutes from the Montclair State Unversity campus. http://www.pilthesalon.com/
Posted by: Lindsay | Dec 6, 2005 3:34:40 PM
Sick of going to a salon where the person your paying doesn't listen to what you want or tells you "He" or she knows best, then you should try Antonio Michael Salon the girls are all great and they really listen to your needs. I travel the 20 min from montclair to west caldwell because believe me these girls are worth it!!
Posted by: carol | Dec 6, 2005 5:50:00 PM
Everyone at Parlour on Glenridge Ave in Montclair is great, especially Wendy. Everyone I know goes to her.
Posted by: grj | Dec 6, 2005 6:40:27 PM
I once got a great haircut at Parlor and would have gone back, but it was just too expensive for my budget. I forget the exact price, but I know that I spent at least $75 once the tip was factored in, if not more. I wish I could remember the stylist's name, but I don't. She had short, choppy red and black hair, but then that doesn't really narrow it down much in the hair salon scene I guess.
I currently go to Linda at Bangz and really like her. When I first started going last year her fee was $35, then it went up to $40. I went recently and learned that it will be up to $50 as of Jan. 1 because, good for her, she has worked her way up to a more prestigious spot in the salon, of which I forget the specific title. My hair is pretty simple; very long and slightly wavy with just barely there layers, but I've found Linda to be very reliable and she respects that I'm timid and doesn't mind when, after saying an inch and half and realizing that's practically nothing, I ask her to take a little more off. Plus, I know she's dying to do something more creative, but keeps it in check so I don't cry and continue to come back. But you should let her do something interesting to your head! Or make her be boring like me :)
Posted by: meghan | Dec 6, 2005 7:06:16 PM
I use Donna at Salon Gossip in Bloomfield (Sunset Ave. and Broad Street). A wash, cut and blow out is $50!
Posted by: Jessica | Dec 6, 2005 7:32:33 PM
After trying most of the salons in Montclair, I found Samantha at Vanity Salon. She does exactly what I ask for, but better. The price is $50, which is about the norm in town.
Posted by: Georgie Girl | Dec 6, 2005 7:50:32 PM
Denise at Antonio Michael has been doing my hair for a number of years. She knows how to cut my naturally curly hair. She has also been great with the "kids" - Totally listens to what they want.
In some ways it was more convenient when she was at St Ives, but I have to say that not having to budget extra time to find parking in Upper Montclair is a plus.
Posted by: Laura | Dec 6, 2005 7:56:07 PM
It's all about Mark @ Esthetica! He's the guy who used to be @ Pelardi that Barista is referring to - and he is a consummate professional. Funny, talented, dependable, nice. No matter what's going on in his life or on the job ... you'll get a great blow-out, cut, highlights, whatever you need. Cut & blow out is (i believe) $60.
Posted by: rhubarbd | Dec 6, 2005 8:50:59 PM
I have been going to Parlor Studio with Tracy as my stylist. Not only is she very capable with cutting and styling my hair, but she is a joy to talk to. She is the one who told me about baristanet... Try it out.
Posted by: Maureen- a Bloomfield resident | Dec 6, 2005 9:55:24 PM
I have been going to Parlor Studio with Tracy as my stylist. Not only is she very capable with cutting and styling my hair, but she is a joy to talk to. She is the one who told me about baristanet... Try it out.
Posted by: Maureen- a Bloomfield resident | Dec 6, 2005 9:56:07 PM
Another Tracy fan here -- left a colorist in Manhattan who I'd used for years and haven't looked back. She's great (and does a great cut, too).
Posted by: Liz | Dec 7, 2005 8:41:06 AM
Chrissy at Parlor is great too! My husband and I both go to her --
Posted by: Pip | Dec 7, 2005 10:40:02 AM
What about short hair? I got a few suggestions (which I'm about to try out)from another link but anyone out there have someone who's great with short hair?
Posted by: newbie | Dec 7, 2005 1:26:02 PM
I have to say i was a client of st. ives for some time and it was never anytihng but a hassell. there are a few great hair dressers but the owner and managment is a disaster. on top of unhappy employees i cant count the number of times i was put to teh side so the stylist could take a pressing phone call from the owner. jeez learn where your priorities are ! i now go to parlor hair studio and see tracy she is AMAIZING!!!!
Posted by: Lauren | Dec 7, 2005 9:11:06 PM
I get my hair done at St Ives and I have to tell you what a wonderful job that Lenny does cutting my hair and Joanne does coloring my hair. My original colorist was Becky who now owns Antonio Michaels who left St Ives to have a baby and never came back, since then Joanne has been doing the color and my hair has never looked better. I get more compliments now on my hair cut and color. Becky had got too full of herself and was really nasty to her clients, and I am so glad that she had a baby because now I am in good hands. St Ives really makes thier clients feel welcomed.
Posted by: kathy | Dec 7, 2005 9:15:55 PM
I have been going to St Ives for a very long time when these girls were just assistants and receptionist that opened this other salon. Everything they know they learned from the Owner and the Stylist at St Ives. For a saoln to be opened for 22 years speaks for itself. Like the article says where are these girls going to be in 22 years. They should be home raising thier children and taking care of thier families and it will be a matter of time when they decide to do just that. Every child needs thier mother. Lenny, Roman, Donna Joanne and all the new girls (that replaced the ones that left,) that are at St Ives now are very talented people and I hope they are there for another 22 years. If St Ives is good enough for the local legends and govenors wives and other well known people ( too many to list) That should tell you what a classy place St Ives is.
Posted by: Michelle | Dec 7, 2005 9:36:40 PM
I read your article and to my horror had my hair cut and colored at Antonio Micheals, I was treated rudly rushed in and out my hair was too short and my highlights were fried my praise goes to the manager at Panico for squeezing me in for corrective color and cut and the front desk for calming me down. It is a beautiful atmosphere relaxing, completly the opposite,of antonio Micheals. Thanks Barista for your bad advise and Thank you Shawn and the staff at Panico.
Posted by: Cindy | Dec 7, 2005 9:56:32 PM
Reading your article on hair droppings at St Ives pulled at my heart strings I have been a client there for 10 years although I did not go to Lenny but to one of the other girls that left St Ives when my mother took ill and was unable to come with me as she did for years I asked these lovely ladies if they would be opened to come to my home in Clifton a few miles away to trim my mothers hair and make her feel better about herself. I was not even acknowledged when i called and asked to speak with the manager she called the other owner who immeditely asked Lenny if he can help, this man came to my home not knowing me as a client or my mother and gladly cut her hair once a month for three months and then to Hospice before she passed on. I will never forget the kindness and not to mention he refused to take one penny it was the highlight of my mothers day.
Posted by: Christina | Dec 7, 2005 10:06:47 PM
your article should read good hair droppings at St Ives where else can you get a good haircut meet YOGI, eat quesadillas, and look at good looking girls all in a half hours time,not bad, especially because my wife allows me to go there once a month. Its a guys night out.
Posted by: Johnny | Dec 7, 2005 10:39:25 PM
