Vito Mazza Promotes "Be Inspired, Be Beautiful" Among Generations of Customers

A longtime Main Street business in Woodbridge is poised to grow and expand its operations even further.

Vito Mazza Salon & Spa opened in 1967, when Vito Mazza Sr. opened up a hair salon for men in Woodbridge. Prior to Woodbridge, he had operated salons in Highland Park and New Brunswick.

A hair salon for men was a rarity in the age of barber shops, the elder Mazza said, and the business slowly grew to accommodate women's haircuts and styling as well.

Today, the family-owned salon fills two buildings and has 85 staff members offering hair cutting and color, nail care, make-up, hair removal and a full spa with massage and facials.

The salon also offers treatments for thinning hair in the form of lasering and custom made hair attachments.

The spa is at the forefront of trends in the beauty industry.

They've recently added a mini-facial bar by Repechage that can accommodate clients for a quick skin treatment during a haircut appointment or on their lunch hour, said Ann Mazza, coordinator of events and public relations for the salon.

The salon is also one of only a few in the state to offer sugaring performed by trained professionals, a natural form of hair removal that is growing in popularity, she said.

All of these offerings landed Vito Mazza Salon & Spa two awards within the past year: This year, the spa was awarded the title of Best Day Spa by the trade magazine Les Nouvelles Esthetiques.

In 2012, the salon and spa was awarded the Repechage President’s Award.

Customer service is at the root of these awards, said salon president Vito Mazza Jr., who is also in charge of expanding the growth of the Vito Mazza brand.

When hiring staff, the Mazza team first and foremost searches for technicians who love people and are passionate about what they do, he said.

"(Your) personality and heart has to be in the right plaza," he said.

In addition to their customer service, the Mazza team also promotes community involvement.

The salon has held hair donation events for cancer patients and raised thousands of dollars for hurricane relief.

Annually, the salon donates about $40,000 to various causes, Ann Mazza said.

"We do it because it's the right thing to do," Vito Mazza Sr. said.

The elder Mazza said the salon is in the business of "longevity," and has clients from multiple generations coming in for services.

"I want you here for the rest of your life," Vito Mazza Sr. said.

Vito Mazza Sr. has reached retirement age, but a passion for the business keeps him showing up at work. He currently serves as a Senior Thinning Hair Solutions Specialist at the salon.

"I love what I do," he said. "Every day is a new experience. No two days are alike."

Vito Mazza Salon & Spa is focusing on expanding its brand name, and is looking toward starting a training academy for stylists and possibly opening more salons, Vito Mazza Jr. said.

"We're growing a brand and we're going to make you feel good," he said.

Vito Mazza Salon & Spa is located at 114 Main St. in Woodbridge.

For more information, visit www.vitomazza.com or call (732) 636-0119.