Cut to the Chase Hair Salon has moved locations to 1206 Storrs Road, next to the Price Chopper in Downtown Storrs.
According to a press release by the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, the ribbon was cut in front of the new location on Aug. 30 to announce the salon’s grand opening. In attendance was Toni Moran, the mayor of Mansfield, as well as various acquaintances and family members of the business associates.
Lori Petrella, owner of Cut to the Chase, officially began her business in 2010 at Storrs, according to their website. It now has two locations in Connecticut and a variety of different services. Looking back, Petrella said she felt gratitude for her previous landlords and for the University Plaza location that housed the business for 15 years.
In the new building, 30 minutes before the doors were set to open for the day, there was a hum of chatter in the air alongside soft pop music emanating from speakers. The space was already brightened by the morning daylight, and, suitably, Petrella cited visibility and natural lighting as important factors in choosing the location.
“We have a little more visibility than we did … Price Chopper definitely helps a lot. And lots of windows. We love windows, especially since natural lighting is everything. So having all the extra windows is just so beneficial,” Petrella observed.
Along with the mood boost due to the natural lighting, Petrella noted that she and her team enjoyed the “lively” atmosphere of the day-to-day at the salon.
“It’s definitely busier. Everyone seems a little more upbeat,” she said.
Behind that upbeat attitude was four months of preparation, including some renovations. Petrella said she felt that the transition had been “smooth” due to both the help they had received, as well as the work done in maintaining the previous location throughout the process.
“It was a little bit of a battle whether we should leave the place we had been [in] for 15 years and come over here, but it was definitely a great choice,” Petrella said.
Situated in the adorned space and accompanied by stylists and staff, Petrella is aware of the great variety of work that she and her team can do.
“We do kind of a little bit of everything hair-wise,” she said.
According to the Mansfield Downtown Partnership press release, customers can choose from services such as “haircuts and styles for men and women, highlights, color, fashion color, perms, conditioning treatments, and lash extensions as well as K18 services and retail,” alongside “popular trends.”
A few of the standouts Petrella mentioned were haircuts, lived-in colors and highlights. She also highlighted the experience certain stylists of the business have with blowouts. The business’ website includes a more comprehensive list matched with descriptions.
Despite this variety, Petrella said she embraces the unpredictable nature of some requests.
“We are looking for another stylist to kind of help with the walk-ins because we love having walk-ins,” she said.
The business hosts “30+ years of combined experience,” according to the business’ website. Cut to the Chase Hair Salon is available both by appointment and by walk-in. They can be contacted at 860-487-0700.