Fun Kuts—

Where The First Cut Is The Kindest Cut Of All

By Kaaren Valenta

Parents tell Marci Benitez and Gennifer Herrmann that they have the patience of a saint.

The two women, who opened Fun Kuts on Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook, don’t see it that way. To them, taking the fear out of a child’s haircut is one of the most rewarding parts of their job.

“Actually, we do cuts for kids of all ages — everyone is a big kid,” Ms Benitez said. “But first haircuts are special. It’s hard to get kids out once they come here. They want to stay and play. ”

Fun Kuts is a kaleidoscope of primary colors, a toy store masquerading as a beauty salon. Children love it. Adults get a kick out of it too.

The two stylists had been working together at a shop in Bethel when they decided to go out on their own.

“We knew there was a need for it. There aren’t many kid places around,” Ms Benitez said. “Genn and I talked about it after I saw an article in the newspaper about how [home] building was way up.”

The women saw an article about the revitalization of Sandy Hook Center and decided to take a look.

“We came, saw the area, and liked it,” Ms Benitez said. “This space was available. I decided it was meant to be.”

The setting was especially appealing, they said.

“There is good parking in back, where we have a deck overlooking the river. The river is very nice,” Ms Benitez said.

Inside the shop are a well-stocked toy corner with a miniature kitchen and bookshelves, child-size chairs, and a rug that has a village complete with roads and buildings imprinted on it, perfect to run toy cars and trucks on. Each of the hair-cutting stations has a television screen tuned to cartoons, Nickelodeon, or the Disney Channel.

“The children get mesmerized, so you can cut their hair and they don’t even notice,” Ms Benitez explained. “The challenge is when they walk in afraid, and then when they are done, they are happy. Plenty of kids scream when they realize they are going to get a haircut, but here, in their own atmosphere, they feel comfortable.”

Ms Benitez said she has been cutting the hair of children and adults for 25 years, and also worked at the Hair Loss Clinic for Women in Bethel, so she knows that the price of a haircut is not related to quality.

“People think just because they pay more at some salons that they are getting a better haircut,” she said. “Price has very little to do with it. The cut all depends on the skill of the person who is doing it.”

Prices at Fun Kuts start at $15 for a wash, cut, and blow-dry. Women’s cuts are $20 and up; $2 less for seniors. Highlights are $25, or $35 with a haircut.

“We do mild highlights for guys who like to get the top high-lighted as well as for girls,” Genn Herrmann said.

Kiernan Villeneuve brought her daughters, Mia, 3, and Lola, 15 months, to the shop recently to get Mia’s hair cut.

“The best thing about this place is that they have something for Lola to do,” she said, smiling, as her toddler was engrossed in the toy corner. “I hope it does well. It is perfect for the area.”

 The shop is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 am to 5:30 pm; Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm; closed Sunday and Monday. There will be a grand opening celebration August 17–21. Appointments are not necessary, but can be made by calling 426-7040.