The Alan Del Monte Salon

MILFORD, Conn.—Grace Torres made her monthly appearance at the Alan Del Monte Salon in Milford recently with her normal fanfare.

She walked in and hugged and kissed the eight stylist and two staff members working that Monday.

Torres, 78, wanted her hair coloring done by her favorite staff member: Rosa Torres, her 19-year-old granddaughter.

At Alan Del Monte Salon, a warm scene like this isn’t out of the ordinary. Owned by three generations of Del Montes, the salon is family oriented from the ownership down to the customer experience.

For the past 34 years the Alan Del Monte Salon has served customers in the Milford area.

“I opened the salon after working as a hair dresser for a few years. I wanted to be my own boss,” said Del Monte.

Owner Alan Del Monte, working on client Ellen Telker.

A frame of Victoria Del Monte, that hangs in her honor at the salon.

Now, Del Monte is the boss and his daughter and grandchildren can be found working alongside him.

His daughter Raquel Torres is the salon’s manager. She joined her father five years ago after her mother’s death. Victoria Del Monte passed away after a battle with cancer. Raquel, now 44, transitioned from as a medical assistant, and said she recognized her parents’ passion for the salon and wanted to join her father. It was two years later that Raquel’s daughter, Rosa Torres joined the staff as a part time employee.

Grace Torres is Raquel’s mother-in-law, and Rosa’s grandmother.

“One day I want to take over the salon, so right now I’m just trying to take in as much as I can,” said Rosa, 19, business major at Central Connecticut State University.

After attending Platt Technical High School in Milford, Rosa said she fell in love with hair dressing.

Rosa practicing hair dying on salon stylist Jessica Ferraro.

“I would definitely say hair and cosmetology are my passion, once I’m graduated I’ll be here full time,” said Rosa.

Rosa’s brother David Torres, 20, also works at the salon part time when he comes home for college breaks. David said he often finds him self spending extra time in the salon even when hes not working.

“My whole family works here,” said David, “so I’m usually here visiting my family even if I’m not on the schedule.”

David sitting in the waiting room on his day off, waiting for his sister to finish her shift.

Glenda Perez, 46 and Probation Officer for the State of Connecticut, said that these dynamic create a family atmosphere in the entire salon.

“I’ve been coming here the last 10 years,” said Perez, “and it’s because they treat everyone here life family.”

Raquel scheduling appointments.

Upon walking in Perez was greeted by Raquel, at the front desk and then a wave of hello’s from the nine hair dressers currently employed. Erica Taylor, 47, hair stylist, grabbed Perez a smock and a coffee and said, “black right?”

Taylor said because there are only nine stylist everyone feels like family.

“I know these girls, I know their families, I've been to their houses,” said Taylor.

Taylor’s Father, Jim Schultz, stopping to chat at the front desk.

At one point during the day Taylor’s father even stopped in to drop off the stylist gifts for Valentine’s Day, and then proceeded to chat with the stylist at the front desk.

The staff even goes as far as to personally escort a customer they describe as one of their favorite clients.

Ellen Telker is a blind attorney who works in the offices next door to the salon. Every time she schedules an appointment, one of the staff members goes to pick up Telker and her guide dog, Kelly — whether they’re walking over in nice weather or driving them in winter conditions.

Telker’s guide dog Kelly, waiting for her owner.

The Del Montes hope to keep the salon in the family and eventually open up another location, Del Monte said.

“We’ve made it for 34 years and I don’t see why we wouldn’t be able to make it for another 34,” said Del Monte. “Expanding is something that might come along with that.”

According to Del Monte, the salon currently offers all the traditional hair services like, highlights, low lights, cuts and styles, but also some treatments such as the Brazilian blow out or a Japanese silk treatment — both hair straightening treatments.

The salon also offers manicures, pedicures, waxing, and full makeup services at the salon, something that 48-year-old Milford native Elaine Woody said was her favorite part.

“It makes everything so much more convenient,” said Woody. “I can get everything done in one place.”

Woody receiving a manicure and pedicure from stylist Deneen Barnett.

All products used in the salon are for purchase, including the “Milkshake” line one of Rosa’s favorites, said Del Monte.

“It actually leaves your hair smelling like fresh baked sugar cookies,” Rosa said, “and if you use the hairspray the room will smell like it too.”

A shelf on the salon’s bookshelf is dedicated to the brides that they have serviced. Each album is full of photographs of the brides they have worked on.