A new locally owned salon is putting down roots in Mount Penn with a focus on affordability, community and creating a positive workplace for stylists.
Cutting Edge Colour & Cuts celebrated its official ribbon cutting Thursday at its location at 2550 Perkiomen Ave., Suite 2, with community members, local officials and supporters gathering to mark the occasion.
Owner Melissa Scaletti, who has worked in the beauty industry since earning her cosmetology license in 1998, said opening her own salon is the culmination of a career that has taken her through several states, a transition into health care, and ultimately back to cosmetology.
“I felt like I wanted to go back into hair because it really makes an impact on people when you can change their daily lives just by helping them transform the way that they look,” Scaletti said. “When you do a haircut or color, that lasts weeks to months, and they’re just so grateful.”
Before opening the salon, Scaletti spent years working as a stylist and salon manager, including with Regis salons, before stepping away from the profession to raise her children. She later became a medical assistant for about eight years but said she realized she found greater fulfillment helping people through cosmetology.
Scaletti said another motivation for opening her own business was creating a workplace where stylists are treated well and fairly compensated.
“I wanted somewhere where it’s fun to work, it’s fun to come to work every day,” she said. “Somewhere where your employees can make good money.”
The salon officially opened May 15 after months of preparation. According to the business, construction delays caused by a leaking roof and outdated electrical wiring pushed back the opening and increased renovation costs, but Melissa and her husband, Anthony, continued moving forward with the project.
Anthony initially encouraged her to pursue the idea of opening her own salon.
“At first I was kind of scared to do this adventure,” Scaletti said. “It took him probably a month or more to convince me.”
She said her experience managing three salons successfully gave her confidence to eventually take the leap into business ownership.
“It’s something new to just start from the ground up,” she said. “We invested everything.”
Since opening, Scaletti said she has enjoyed getting to know residents beyond those coming in for appointments.
“We’ve gotten to know people by name,” she said. “It’s just really nice just feeling like you fit in.”
She hopes to continue giving back by sponsoring local youth sports and becoming an active part of the Mount Penn community.
Mount Penn Mayor Ryan Maurer attended the ribbon cutting and welcomed the new business to the borough.
“Any time you have a business opening in our community, it’s a good thing,” Maurer said. “It’s good for employees, it’s good for the community, it’s good for the owners.”
Maurer said the borough wants entrepreneurs to know they have support when investing locally.
“Our doors are open in Mount Penn for entrepreneurs, and we’re definitely willing to partner with people and help promote their businesses if they’re willing to take the risk and invest in our community,” he said.
Cutting Edge Colour & Cuts offers hair services for clients of all ages using an à la carte pricing model that allows customers to customize services based on their preferences and budget.
Scaletti worked with the Small Business Development Center at Kutztown University during the startup process, receiving assistance with business planning, financing preparation and marketing.
Looking ahead, Scaletti said her long-term vision extends beyond the current location. While she and her husband have discussed future expansion, she is focused on growing the business steadily. She also hopes to build a family legacy, with two of her three sons planning to attend barber school and eventually become part of the business.
“I really do want to leave a legacy for them,” Scaletti said. “Hopefully we’ll be here 20, 30 years or more, and they’ll take over for me.”
