On November 1, a staple in the beauty community, Salon 14 North, celebrated their 25th anniversary of business. There was champagne and finger foods, people and laughter. The community and staff got together to clink glasses over this momentous quarter-century feat for the place that has brought them so much joy over time. A married couple, Russ and Tammy Razzi, own Salon 14 North. They always wanted to open a salon. Years ago, they were strolling through Haddonfield on Tammy’s birthday when they saw a “for rent” sign. Having a salon in a historic town with cute shops and places to eat might appeal to customers, they thought. And the space just felt right.
With accolades that include being named as part of the “best of Philly” by Philadelphia Magazine — although the salon, of course, lies outside the city — folks travel from around the tri-state area to experience Salon 14 North. Russ noted that people “drive past many salons before they get to us. That’s the real compliment — when they choose us.” In the beginning, that was largely because Russ was a noted colorist and stylist from Philadelphia’s Pileggi on the Square. Happily, he was able to retain most of his clients when he and Tammy opened Salon 14 North.
Their trusted team now includes Felicia Dipaola, Stephanie Blithe, Bridget Hall, Lex Celi, and Jazzmyn Rivera. “The place is just bricks and sticks,” Russ reflected. “It’s the people who make it.” Despite passing trends, economic shifts, and being involved in a constantly evolving industry, Salon 14 North has survived and triumphed. “Times change, and you need to adjust to them a bit,” said Russ. “So education’s a big deal.” Their staff works together as a team and are committed to excellence. They also use quality hair color brands: primarily Goldwell from Germany, but also Davines from Parma, Italy. “We try to have the best there is,” said Russ.
“We do what we do and we do it really well,” said Russ Razzi. He and his wife, Tammy, own Salon 14 North. On November 1, they
celebrated the 25th anniversary of their business.
Salon 14 North is a community hub and part of the local social fabric. “We love making people feel at ease,” said Tammy, the salon manager, speaking to the business’s low-key aura and their values. “They don’t have to dress up. They can just be themselves. This is a safe place.” People flock to Salon 14 North because it’s a welcoming sanctuary. A cherished third place. Not really home, definitely not work, but a third amiable and calm space all at the same time. They want their clients to feel comfortable and they do. Recalling an occasion when a caped client — with a base coat of color and foils in her hair — went to a Mexican restaurant for lunch with her daughter, Tammy laughed.
The Razzis know you want to feel a profound sense of safety when you’re about to change something about your appearance. And here, whether you get a color or a cut (or both), you’ll leave feeling better than when you walked in. “It’s hair, it’s not brain surgery,” Tammy said. At the salon, they are serious about what they do, but they also like to have fun. According to Tammy, a good haircut gives men and women confidence and color makes people “feel good. It’s a pick-me-up.”
Salon 14 North specializes in long hair, and because the silhouettes of longer hair can retain their shape for longer periods, some clients don’t have to visit very often. Some tricks of the trade coming from the minds of the pros: If you have long hair and you want it to be even longer, “it depends on the texture of your hair, but the general rule of thumb: If you want it to grow, you should get it cut once every 8-12 weeks,” Russ said. “ Just trim the ends. With long hair 2-3 haircuts a year, 4 times tops.” If you have a certain style you want, both Russ and Tammy suggest having pictures of the look you’re going for. Whether it is a red-carpet picture or something you saw on Instagram, any and all images are helpful for the stylist to be able to envision your look and make it happen for you. It’s crucial to use the concentrator on the end of a hair dryer when you’re blowing drying your own hair, Tammy stressed, so you don’t fry your hair.
When you go to Salon 14 North, you feel a deep-rooted sense of community and well-being from seasoned professionals doing what they absolutely love to do.They are generous with their advice, good-natured, and down to earth. Russ believes that you’ll succeed in the business, like he and his wife did, if you’re passionate about it. “We do what we do and we do it really well,” said Russ.
