Walton resident Kim Petroccia hopes to bring services that are a cut above to her Unadilla salon.
Together with stylist Kyle Gill, Petroccia launched Creative Cuts by Kim & Kyle on Sept. 29. The 187 Main St., Suite C, Unadilla salon marks Petroccia’s third business.
“We were just looking to get out on our own and do our own thing,” she said, noting that the two worked previously at a local salon. “It’s tough to be creative under someone else’s wings … but I’ve been doing hair for 40 years.”
“It’s about being able to do the quality of work that we want that we didn’t have time for (at the previous salon),” Gill, a Sidney native, said.
Petroccia said the Unadilla location matched a way to maintain customers with an “up-and-coming” atmosphere.
“This is close to the other shop, because you want to stay local, for your customers, and you don’t want to push anybody out,” she said. “The majority of customers are local; everyone is probably within a six-mile radius, and we get Walton, Sidney, Bainbridge. I am booked solid every day. My people came, and we’re getting a lot of new customers, which is good, because it’s the neighborhood people. And there is an absolute gentrification happening here, and I think we hit it at the right place and the right time.”
Petroccia said services run the gamut.
“We offer all types of styling, but what we don’t do — and that’s important — is formal styling,” she said. “We don’t do weddings and updos; we’re here to do haircuts, blowdries, colors, men’s, women’s and kids and barber styling: flat tops, fades, beards. We get a lot of positive feedback. We have Facebook, and everything said is good and positive.”
Petroccia and Gill said the nature of the industry keeps them satisfied, professionally and personally.
“It’s creativity,” Petroccia said. “It’s a constant flow of new and, even though it’s a repetitious business where you’re doing haircuts all day, every person is different. There’s always something new and fresh, and you definitely have to keep up with the times. Trends come and go quickly, but we definitely stay within the moment. We’re looking to progress and grow.”
“You pick up new things and get to try something new and you get better,” Gill said. “You don’t get that with other jobs. I just want to get better at what I’m doing, and this is a place where I can (do that).”
Petroccia, who said Gill was “hand-chosen” to join her at Creative Cuts, said she hopes to be in Unadilla “for as long as possible.”
“I feel like this is my future home for all my customers,” she said. “And I truly believe that when I start winding down, (Gill) will pick up more. He’s a young gun and I’m an old dog, but what it’s really about is passing a torch. He’s young and fresh and all about learning.”
Creative Cuts, Gill said, is open weekends, “where everyone else usually has those off.” Petroccia added that they will “accommodate for holidays,” upon request. First responders get 50% off services, with proof of service. “And that’s not a one-shot deal,” Petroccia said. “It’s an all-the-time, forever thing.” Petroccia and Gill will also run holiday specials for color and highlight services.
Creative Cuts is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday through Monday. Walk-ins are welcome.
For more information or to make an appointment, find “Creative Cuts” on Facebook or call 607-610-4333.