Jeffrey LaMorte Salon Continues to Grow in South Suburbs

After nearly 20 years in a smaller Frankfort location, Jeffrey LaMorte Salon & Day Spa recently moved to the old Blockbuster off La Grange Rod. 

For LaMorte, it nearly doubled the space in Frankfort, the oldest of three locations in the south suburbs. He opened in Orland Park in 2001 and Lemont in 2007, marking continued growth. But now he says he'd like to focus on the three locations and have them "carry me to my retirement." 

"We were bursting at the seams and had been for a while," LaMorte said. "I think the thing that’s separated us and been able to expand while others are closing, is that we’ve been consistent. We’ve never slacked on that area." 

The consistency across LaMorte's three salons is most evident in the training and experience of the staff, he said. LaMorte got started in the salon business at 18, when he worked at his father's salons in the Homewood-Flossmoor area. Even then, training was a focus.

"Right at 18 I went to London for training at Vidal Sassoon, and then a couple more times," he said. "I got a real feel for the industry besides just the four walls around me. When I saw what the industry had to offer really appealed to me." 

After 12 years working with his father, LaMorte decided to branch out and open his own salon. He looked to get far enough away from his father's territory and landed on Frankfort. Since then, he said expanding in the south suburbs has been a perfect fit. He's raised a family in Frankfort, and many of his employees are from the area.

"This location and the expansions we’ve had, really as much as I’ve had the gift of work ethic, it still rides on the back of my employees," LaMorte said. "The one great thing about being in Illinois and especially the southwest suburbs the work ethic these people bring. We have great commitment and longevity. I have employees that have started with me from day one."

The salons, which offer a wide variety of services, also have what's called an Academy, a training facility where LaMorte and his staff can continue to hone their skills. 

They're also involved with Locks of Love and have stepped up at other times to help the communities. When another salon closed in Lemont, Jeffrey LaMorte announced it would redeem gift cards from that other business. And in Orland Park, the salon has donated extensions to a woman who lost her hair after chemotherapy treatments and held a bake sale for a family that lost its infant son. 

"We’re comfortable and identify best with the south suburbs," he said. "I’d like to stay with the salons I have now that we know where we’re at and what we need to do."

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