Salon Friendships Run Deep With "Bella Roots"

By MADDY VITALE Maria McQuillen, of Sea Isle City, is already a busy married mother of two. She has worked as a manicurist at Salon Shannon Leigh on Landis Avenue in the city for the last 10 years. In between her juggling act, with the help of her husband, Tom McQuillen, which involves taking their daughters, Adyson, 12, and Alyssa, 9, to cheer, band, basketball and a host of other activities, Maria manages to set, and achieve some lofty goals. The latest accomplishment will be to become a business owner. Maria McQuillen is taking over at her longtime friend and co-worker, Shannon O’Rourke’s salon, Salon Shannon Leigh, which is at 3918 Landis Ave. “I officially own the salon Sunday, Sept. 1,” McQuillen said in a phone interview Thursday. “I am very excited about it.” O’Rourke, of Seaville, a stylist, whose family has owned the salon for over 60 years, will stay on and focus on her clients, McQuillen noted. And not much will really change when McQuillen takes over, she said. Sure, there will be a new awning featuring the new name, Bella Roots, but aside from some minor changes, McQuillen said she is very content to keep what has been her friend’s salon for so long, about the same. “We sell superior products, Aveda color and a men’s product line called, Blind Barber,” she said. The products will be the same and so will the friendly, knowledgeable, staff, McQuillen pointed out. “The girls are so very close. I don’t want anything really to change,” McQuillen said. “We will expand some of our products and services.” In fact, McQuillen’s feelings that perfection should not be altered runs as deep as the new name she has given the salon. “Bella Roots isn’t just about beautiful hair,” she said. “It also means the roots of our friendship. We are family.” A new awning with Bella Roots painted on it will be installed this weekend. A tree of life logo will be painted on the storefront window Friday morning. Some of what has helped make the salon, which features a braid bar, stand the test of time is the care given to the clients, McQuillen said. “Everything depends on the client. We provide personalized care with an open communication between the stylist and customer,” she explained. “We have a ton of regulars.” The salon is open year-round Tuesday through Sunday. That also will stay the same. “Some people like to come in on a Sunday. They don’t want to rush in after work,” McQuillen added. “We want to continue to be able to accommodate everybody.” While this is the first time McQuillen has ventured into owning a business, she is ready and excited for the future. “I feel like I can do whatever I set my mind to,” she said. “I owe a lot to the support of my husband, family and friends. I couldn’t do it without them.” For more information or to make an appointment call Bella Roots beginning Sunday at 609-263-8805. This tree of life logo will be painted on the front window. (Image courtesy Maria McQuillen)