Among the various restaurants and bars on Arnold Avenue in Point Pleasant. is a salon that has been treating customers for seven plus years after moving from Brick Township.
Dena LoBello worked at Salon O as a junior stylist when it was in Brick Township and bought the business from the previous owner as it transitioned to its new home. She’s now owned it for seven years and has made sure it remained an integral part of the thriving community.
Point Pleasant is one of the busiest shore towns in Ocean County, which means Salon O needs to adroitly manage their regulars with any tourists that may want to come in for services. Compounding that demand is the fact that the salon is located on Arnold Avenue, one of the walkable main streets of Point Pleasant that houses several restaurants and stores. The salon benefits from having parking in front of the salon, which attracts new customers.
“It’s close to the beach,” says LoBello. “You can park, get your hair done, and walk to the beach.”
The salon, which bills itself as an all-in-one beauty destination, offers makeup, spa treatments and manicures, hair treatments and highlights, and more. It is mostly booked solid throughout the year, though some resident clients may escape the cold by traveling to Florida or the Carolinas.
Its regulars include both year-long residents and tourists that make Point Pleasant their summer home. Both usually book their appointments well in advance throughout the year, so they’re not trying to reserve among the summer rush, given Pt. Pleasant tourism influx.
As for new clients, the location helps attract curious prospective customers, which means the salon gets a fair amount of walk-ins for last-minute pedicures and blowouts. Or they get those who google the salon when they know they’ll be in town.
“Word of mouth is our biggest business generator, especially with our repeat customers,” LoBello says.
Lena recommends heading to B2 after getting your hair or nails done - popular because of their good food and open windows.
Also highly recommended: Amendment 21 bar and Boatyard401 for huge deck overlooking the marina.
She recommends the River Avenue Beach, which locals tend to frequent.
On the opposite side of the spectrum is the Jenkinson's Boardwalk, which is often packed, but offers the inlet bar for drinks and food.
