Meet Richie Arpino of Richie Arpino Salon in Buckhead

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richie Arpino.

Richie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a young, newly trained hairstylist from Long Island, NY, I made the move to Atlanta. At first, it was just a vacation, but I quickly became enchanted by the city and its great potential in my career. I decided almost immediately that Atlanta would be my home and where I would establish my career.

Sometimes in life, you get to meet a mentor that changes your own trajectory. In my case, it was Joseph Roybal, who is still at 84 cutting hair. He took me under his wing and shared with me his incredible knowledge of both the art of hair design and the complicated world of running a successful salon. I worked with him in his salon in Cobb County for a few years before he took me on as a partner in his first Buckhead Salon in a little house on Paces Ferry Place. Those days were all about client acquisition and retention. There were plenty of days I spent the afternoons at Lennox Mall handing out my cards, giving “on the spot hair consultations,” and talking up potential clients. I’m happy to say, after 38 years, I still have some of those original clients.

In 1980, I took over the Paces Ferry location from Joseph and renamed it, The Richie Arpino Salon. It remained there for 31 years until the house was sold in 2012. From there the salon moved to a 1950s strip mall on Pharr Rd. across from the Atlanta Fish Market, and then when that location too succumbed to development, to its current location in the 550 Pharr Rd. office building.

Having been well established for more than three decades, a retail space was no longer necessary. And since most real estate in Buckhead is being torn down to build a high-rise office building, I thought, “if you can’t beat them, join them!” My current location, in a renovated 1970s office building, once the home of the famed Pharr Library Bar, is perfect for this stage in my career. It’s incredible that after 38 years as a salon owner, I can still have the energy and excitement every day when I go to work.

Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing in life comes easy. The struggle is part of it. But I’m incredibly blessed that my career and my salon have been relatively struggle free. I have amazing clients that have been with me for many, many years. I have had hairstylists work with me in the salon for more than three decades. I have met and worked with many famous actors, musicians and politicians. But it’s been hard work.

Moving the salon twice in three years, after 32 years in the same location, has presented challenges, but in a way, it was a blessing. The moves injected a new energy in my own commitment to the work and to the salon that I don’t think would have been there had I not had to move. I really feel the salon today is stronger, more beautiful, and happier than it was ten years ago.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Richie Arpino Salon specializes in haircuts, styling, and color. By focusing on the most current trends in hair design, the salon has set itself apart from many others in Atlanta. We have been recognized by many fashion publications for our work. We have been honored as best salon and best haircuts by Allure, Best Self, Jezebel, The Atlantan, and The Review.

I’m most proud that I have retained many of the people in my salon who have worked with me for more than three decades. From my salon manager Rachel Osenski, to my amazing stylist Greg Harris, to my recently deceased assistant Gloria Thomas, I have been honored to work with such incredible people whose work ethic, artistic ability, and energy make going to work every day a pleasure.

Most people who visit Richie Arpino Salon for the first time can’t believe how relaxed and fun it is. My goal has always been to create a comfortable, family atmosphere where the clients feel at home. I think this is what sets us apart from our competition.

I’m always moved by our make-overs. There is nothing like a new look to make someone feel great about themselves. As a photographer, I am able to capture the transformations – recording the before and after looks and sending them off to my clients.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
For me, Atlanta was an opportunity to start my career. I was a kid from New York who had a lot of energy, some good initial training, and ambition. I think Atlanta today, while certainly more advanced, still has an incredible opportunity for anyone wanting to work hard. I have seen Atlanta mature in the years I’ve lived and worked here. It’s truly a world city. The service industry is competitive, no doubt, but with energy, perseverance, and a vision, a young person has such great potential. With all the development in Atlanta, and with so many people moving into the city, I can’t help but think Atlanta is the perfect place to start a career in the hair business. That is, if you’re willing to do the work it takes to get out there, meet people and acquire clients.

Not only that, with all the film and television production in town, there is such great opportunity to work with celebrity clients. This is how I was able to make a name for myself in the Atlanta market – even before Atlanta was the Hollywood of the south!

Contact Info:

• Address: Richie Arpino Salon
  550 Pharr Rd.
  Atlanta, GA 30305
• Website: www.arpinosalon.net
• Phone: 404-231-5092
• Email: richiearpino@mac.com
• Instagram: @richiearpino
• Facebook: Richie Arpino Salon
• Other: www.richiearpinophotography.com

Image Credit:
Richie Arpino Photography

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