Meet the Owner: Lisa Arcese of Linique Haircutters

In a village filled with many of the same kinds of businesses, Asian restaurants, dessert-type storefronts and hair salons, Linique Haircutters sets itself apart by being different than many of its Deer Park Avenue business district brethren.

First off, longevity is the name of the game as owner Lisa Arcese is celebrating Linique's 28th year in business and 16th year at her storefront at 37 John Street in Babylon Village. 

"I started working when I was 12 in a hair salon around the corner from my junior high school," said Arcese, who grew up in Hollis, Queens. "I wanted to work at a young age... they wanted me to clean when I started, but then the salon had me do shampooing and then hair."

Arcese moved onto another hair salon after she graduated high school and three years later was asked to buy it from the owner.

"I bought it at 21 with some money borrowed from a friend's father," she said laughing. "Lots of trust right there."

15 years later though, Arcese said it was time to leave as the area changed.

"I saw this location open in Babylon and I had to make a quick decision," she said. It was no more than a week, she noted, that she moved in and Babylon Village's Linique Haircutters was born.

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Linique is also not just for haircutting and styling – the storefront includes a nail salon with every color under the sun available for your nails and Arcese sells a Linique brand of shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products.

Another thing that set Arcese and Linique apart from the many salons in the village was her dedication to helping others, especially those going through cancer treatments.

Linique Haircutters is teamed up with A Personal Touch Boutique and Good Samaritan Hospital to help create wigs for cancer patients, many of whom lose their hair during chemotherapy treatments.

"We try to be more of a best friend salon," Arcese said. "We try to feel like you're at home here... you don't have to get dressed up. Just show up in your PJs!"

And as the beauty salon approaches nearly 30 years, Arcese said it was hard to believe it had even been that long.

"So many people have been in and out of here, but [the first day] feels just like yesterday," she said, beaming. "The greatest memories are becoming a part of people's families... people who I cut and styled as children are now bringing their children to me!"