Blo Out Lounge and Color Bar brings big city blow out bars to Hamilton
By Lisa Zola-DeLibero
The writing is on the wall: Service. Healing. Passion. Spirituality. Education. Innovation. Creativity. Loyalty. Artisan.
For Caterina Young, the owner of Blo Out Lounge and Colour Bar, located at 3695 Nottingham Way, the words that are literally on the wall of her business are the values that she lives by, at work and in her everyday life.
“We are not a typical salon,” Young said. “We are a lounge. We want to change the industry, both in concept and service.”
The Blo Out experience is “affordable, fast paced and convenient,” she said.
“Girls and women, from 9 years to 60 and up, come in and they may just want to get their hair washed and blown dry for just a certain look for a particular day, or several days,” Young said. “We also have all of the services that other salons offer, with special dedication to each of our guests, working with them one on one in an area that is comfortable, calm, and intimate.”
Young is a 1999 graduate of Nottingham High School, and received her license at the Assunpink Center Mercer County Technical School. She says she never thought she would have an opportunity to own her own business, and is thankful every day of her life for it.
“I truly believe that God has guided me to where I am today, and that this is what I was made to do,” she said with a smile, while holding her 10-month-old daughter, Giordanna. “I want to bring spirituality into this place, and for it to be a healing environment from the inside of a woman to the outside.”
Manager Beth Inglesby first met Young when she went to do the interior design. For the design, she focused on creating a warm and inviting feel. She said working with Young is a breath of fresh air.
“Caterina is always thinking about everyone else all of the time. She makes everyone feel special, and cares very much about all of our lives,” she said. “She is extremely kind, and we all love working here with her. As far as the entire staff is concerned, we are like a family. We want our customers to feel that they are never interrupting us, and that we are waiting for our guests!”
Blo Out is in the process of a long soft opening, with plans to hold a grand opening ceremony in September 2014. That will mark a year since the doors first opened. Festivities already on tap for the grand opening include tours, the launch of a new product line called 3ntrinity, and the unveiling of an espresso bar with drinks and snacks to refresh customers while they are being cared for.
A holistic nutritionist has also been hired for women who want to look good and stay healthy, inside and out.
Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 to 8, Friday 9 to 6, and Saturday 9 to 4, Blo Out is closed on Sundays and Mondays for private parties.They have hosted birthday parties, bridal showers, sweet 16s, job promotion celebrations, among other things, since opening.
Young likes her staff—Katie McVicker, Dianna Stillitano, Carol DeJorge, Laura Spano, Tracy Barbiero and Olivia Gladydura—to be called “artisans,” and said they are all “gifts to the lounge.”
They all spend the final few minutes of their customers’ visits putting on finishing touches, like hand and neck massages.
“We want them to get that feeling of relaxation. It is that ‘ahhhh’ feeling,” Young said.
With good old-fashioned customer service combined with the newest hairstyles and makeup trends for women, Young and her artisans aim to help women to feel good about themselves on the inside and the outside.
“To me, values are everything,” said Young. “It’s who you are. We are hoping that our values here can make everyone’s life, who comes into our lounge, a little bit better.”
Blo Out Bar and Colour Lounge, located at 3695 Nottingham Way in Hamilton Square, has a page on Facebook. Phone: (609) 587-0202.
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