There were cupcakes and champagne, sandwiches and snacks, memories, prizes, gifts and laughter, and when Mike from Elite Entertainment starting to play “We Are Family,” there was dancing for all as Donna and Linda owners of Sebastian’s Hair-em at 872 Route 36, Leonardo celebrated a half century of business at that location.
Actually the celebration was for more than half a century, as many of the longtime customers remembered the business was started by their mom, the late Ann Muratore, who began washing heads and setting styles in her kitchen at the Muratore home in Leonardo.
The first shop was a smaller section of the same strip mall where it is now located, with Donna, Linda and her sister, the late Cheryl all working on the site. When Muratore’s husband Sam operated his butcher shop at the Route 36 site, his wife purchased the adjacent vacant lot , had her daughters promise they would continue working for at least 20 years, and the small business shop they first opened there was enlarged and now includes three rooms of beauty treatments for everything from shampoos and nails to facials and massages.
The celebration Saturday was for “our incredible customers,” the owners said, citing women who made them happy to come to work every day.
Middletown’s Township Committee members all turned out to congratulate the half century old business, with Committeeman Ryan Clark speaking for Mayor Tony Perry and the Committee in congratulating the women on their success and thanking them for being a part of Middletown’s business community. One of the religious brothers from St. Anthony’s church in Red Bank blessed the shop, offered thanks for its past and success for its future.
Ann Zarella, who now lives in Bradley Beach, was there for the celebration and the Sebastian’s team presented her with the Golden Shears Award for being the customer who has been with Sebastian’s for more than 50 years. Zarella said she recalls having her hair done at the Muratore kitchen before the shop opened and wanted to be at the event on Saturday. Asked why she made the trip for this celebration, she smiled, shrugged her shoulders and said, “they’re family to me. I had to be here.”
Neighboring businesses also showed their affection for the Sebastian’s crew by giving gift cards and other items to include in the bags of gifts Sebastian’s gave to customers at the gala. These included Slater’s Deli, Love to Learn Playhouse, Carol Elaine Dance Studio. Suzi’s Sweet Shoppe, 1100 Route 35, Middletown, who made the special wraps for the chocolate bars included in the gift bag, also presented gift cards for customers Also included in the gift bag were shampoo, combs, styling lotions, weight loss consultation offers from Dr. Richard Sandord, Route 35, a free yoga class from Selfless Love Yoga, adjacent to Sebastian’s, and a gift card from Lucky Star women’s clothing in Pennsylvania as well as a complimentary personal training session with Mike Duffy’s Personal Training in Fair Haven and Ocean Township.. Sebastian’s also offered chances on other baskets of gifts.
“We did it for our customers,” they’re they are who have made this all possible, both of the owners, as well as the dozen or so more employees said several times throughout the day.
Because of their high volume of business, and their open hours five days week, Sebastians is hiring more beauty specialists. For further information call 732-291-0556.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
Sebastian
