Wilton Small Business Spotlight: Branchville Hair Design​

WILTON, CT — Our Small Business Spotlight shines a light on local businesses we may not know that well.

• Business: Branchville Hair Design
• Owner: Jerry Ventrella
• Website: Branchville Hair Designhttps://www.facebook.com/jerkutz16/
• Address: 300 Danbury Road Wilton, Ct. 06897

Why did you start Branchville Hair Design?

I started this shop in the Branchville section of Ridgefield in 2003. A long time ago one of my customers that was in marketing suggested when you name a place it should tell you what it is and where it is, so I listened to him but he was wrong because if you ever move out of town and you want your customers to find you, they won't be able to as easy. I kept the name when I opened July 2014 in Wilton only 5 miles from my Branchville location.

Why did you choose your location?

I started my business in Wilton because it was the closest thing I could find to my old location (which I moved out of because the landlord and I couldn't agree on new lease terms.)

What was the biggest challenge you faced as a business owner?

Relocating was my biggest challenge. My new location in Wilton was formerly Sal's Barbershop for many years but it sat for two years prior. The small two chair shop was all set up and ready to go as far as mirrors stations the shampoo bowl and the barber pole that has been there for over 50 years. I was very lucky to find a place that was previously a barbershop. After opening, Sal paid a visit and told me he used to work for my uncle Jim DeMott on Route 7 right on the Wilton/Norwalk border before that building was sold to a barber that wanted his own barbershop in that location and it is still one to this day. So this place has real family history for me not to mention my father was a barber in Weston from 1947 to 1967. My uncle Tony and his sons Tony and Phil Ventrella also cut in Wilton. I have two brothers in the business also that own Mr V's hair cutting in Ridgefield.

Briefly, what business are you in?

We do haircuts for the entire family. Walk ins only. When I say we I mean my long-time best friend and coworker Sherry Grieco who is an accomplished stylist in the Norwalk in Wilton area for well over 36 years and I have been cutting for 30 years.

What is your proudest moment?

My proudest achievement since opening this business is not only meeting new people but watching the kids that I have serviced for the past 13 years grow up, my customers are more like family to me.

How do you give back to the community?

Sherry and I do St Baldrick's every year at Wilton High School. For those of you who don't know what that is, his kids get pledges to shave their head and the money goes towards childhood cancer research. I am a member of the Georgetown Lions Club that serves Wilton as well. For the past three years we helped the Lions raise over $3000 in our shop that went to help local charities.

Would you like to see your business featured? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.