Salon 1 has been a longtime business of the South Side Plaza along Foote Avenue in Jamestown. In 2019, the business is celebrating 35 years. From left, receptionist Mandy Anderson, stylist manager and hairdresser Cherie Visker, owner Mike Giunta, stylist Marty Herrick and stylist manager Danielle Clark. P-J photo by William Mohan

For 35 years, one local salon has been making history in Jamestown and nationally.

While the business originally started as Price Cutters in 1984, Salon 1 has been a fixture of the South Side Plaza along Foote Avenue. Along the way, the business has also been setting trends in the beauty industry before many others, according to Mike Giunta, owner.

The business is part of a long career in the beauty and salon industry for Giunta. Originally he worked at Towne Barbers Unlimited located on Fourth Street in Jamestown. That move was inspired by the fact Giunta’s father was also a barber.

In 1984, Giunta left Towne Barbers and started Price Cutters, bringing the same experience and trade with him to his new business. It was originally located in the South Side Plaza along Foote Avenue where Spa Nails is located today. Through the 80s and early 90s the business grew and Giunta saw the need to move.

“Around 1995 we grew out of that place and became Salon 1,” Giunta said about the current location still in the South Side Plaza.

At the same time, Giunta has employed many of the same staff members who worked with him at his earlier business. Among them are stylists Marty Herrick, who previously worked with Towne Barbers; Danielle Clark who originally started with Price Cutters; and Cherie Visker, who has worked with Salon 1 for 20 years.

Salon 1 offers men and women’s’ haircuts, perms, extensions and pedicures. The business also specializes in women’s wigs and men’s hairpieces. In addition, the business also sells specialty shampoos, conditioners and writes beauty prescriptions. Among the brands Giunta cited are Paul Mitchell, Lanza and Kenra.

Giunta attributes the 35 years of the business to continued learning.

“We continue to go to (beauty) school, we continue to have educational classes, cutting, perming, coloring, etc. We continue to do it all the time,” Giunta said. “Education is our No. 1 priority.”

Giunta is also pleased that he has educated the market and the talent for many of the salons in the region.

“A lot of people (businesses) that are in this town today started with me,” Guinta said. “It’s a great business. I recommend it to anybody.”

Salon 1 has been nominated for favorite salon for The Post-Journal Reader Choice Awards. Voting will begin June 22. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 483-6000. Find Salon 1 on Facebook or visit its website at vagaro.com/salon1. Walk-ins are welcome. Salon 1 is located at 748 Foote Ave. in Jamestown. Their hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.