A Fun Salon in West Hempstead

Being the driver of a fire truck or race car is just one of the joys of getting your haircut at the Fun Salon in West Hempstead.

Rossana Weitekamp

Toys fill the main floor of the salon, adding to the kiddie appeal.

Rossana Weitekamp

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Before Yael Lalehzari opened her business, the Fun Salon, in West Hempstead, she didn’t know where to go for haircuts for her children. “I wanted to take them where they would have a good experience and enjoy it,” said the 20-year West Hempstead resident.

Lalehzari, who already had managerial experience in retail and sales, noticed numerous institutions in the area catering to children, like the Early Childhood Center and the area elementary schools, and saw an opportunity. “I wanted to give back to the community,” she said. “The community depends on us.”

So, being a mother already tuned into the needs and preferences of small children, Lalehzari created a child-friendly salon with an atmosphere that appeals to the younger set — where a fire engine and toy car double as salon chairs; where toys are for sale throughout the main floor of her business; where colorful overhead lights provide add to the playful atmosphere. And for adults, toward the back of the shop, are salon services for grown-ups, that adults can take advantage of while their children are busy getting haircuts.

“Some kids are scared of scissors, so when they walk in and see toys, it basically calms their nerves,” said Lalehzari, who added that she just wanted to create a positive atmophere for children. “All of this creates a distraction for kids who fear a haircut.” Each child’s chair also has its own overhead television screen where children can choose what show to watch while they get their haircut. Haircuts for children are $18. “We didn’t set prices high because we wanted to serve the community and still be affordable,” Lalehzari said. The salon is her first venture into business ownership.

Behind a colorfully decorated partition lies the adult salon, where one can sit and get numerous specialized services, from a haircut to natural hair wigs, extensions, coloring, and special occasion hairstyles. The salon also provides nail services. “The partition gives our customers the privacy that they need,” said Lalehzari.

Although the Fun Salon has been opened since late November, a ribbon cutting ceremony has been scheduled for Sunday June 5. The salon is located at 319 Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead.