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The festivities may be over, but a dozen cards still display messages marking a milestone at Cavros Hair Studio in Bradford.
Last Saturday, June 10, the salon celebrated 20 years in business by welcoming friends, family, neighbours and clients to their studio at 29 Holland St. W. for food, drinks and fun including live music from a DJ and a drummer.
Owner, Rocco Cavallo estimated about 100 people attended throughout the evening, and while the celebration was originally planned to run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., guests continued their revelling until almost midnight.
“It was energetic, it was happy and it was amazing to see everyone just enjoying themselves,” Cavallo said.
Part of the fun was a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses including:
- One gift basket from Cabana Tan
- One gift certificate from Sweet B’s
- Two Gift Certificates from Verona Travel
- One mani-pedi from Beyond Beauty in Newmarket
- One gift basket and one Makeup by Carmelina session from Cavros
Despite the energetic response from guests, Cavallo described the celebration as more of a wine and cheese event.
“We were just giving back to everyone and saying thank you,” Cavallo said. “You could see friends, clients, family — everyone met everyone. Not everyone gets to talk to everybody, because we’re so busy, but this was nice because you mingle around with everyone.”
Cavallo originally opened his salon in partnership with his father, Quintino Cavallo, in 2003, who had been operating as a barber for decades prior, before Rocco eventually took over the business.
His father’s chair is still on display at the front of the salon.
“He’s honouring his father’s legacy,” stylist Carmelina Varriano said.
The salon offers a variety of salon and barber services, including cut, colour, extensions and shaving.
“Pretty much whatever you need we can do it,” Cavallo said.
“Plus therapy,” Varriano joked.
When asked what changes he’s seen over the years, Cavallo said it’s an industry that’s constantly in flux.
“In hair everything always changes, so you can never keep that similar, but people have been more open to what they want. It’s more for the individuality than for the trend,” Cavallo said.
As a result he said they’re always updating their skills and continually educating themselves.
Despite those ongoing efforts and the salon’s legacy, Cavallo still isn’t taking success for granted.
“In this town nothing has stuck around much for 20 years, so we’ll see what the future brings us,” he said.
Varriano thinks he should take more credit.
“Rocco is one of the most incredible people. He’s an incredible stylist, he’s the master of his craft, but he’s so humble, you’d never know. Rocco teaches me something new about this industry every day,” she said.
Customer, Julia Loiacono felt the intimate setting makes the salon stand out.
“You don’t feel like you’re just a number; you’re a part of the family,” she said.
