Lauricella son returns to Capello Salon
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

John Paul Lauricella, right, and his father, John A. Lauricella, stand outside Capello Salon & Day Spa, where John Paul has returned to work after a fire destroyed his Maple Road salon on Sept. 15.

After a fire destroyed his business, John Paul Lauricella moved back home - to his father's salon, that is.

Salon John Paul, 940 Maple Road, was a total loss in a fire that began in the early hours of Sept. 15 in nearby Chang's Chinese Restaurant.

On Sept. 18, Lauricella began working at Capello Salon & Day Spa, 5422 Main St., the business of his parents, John A. and Rita Lauricella.

"It feels like a new beginning," Lauricella said. "I've been thinking about returning to my family's business for some time, and my father and mother are welcoming me with open arms."

Lauricella owned and operated Salon John Paul for 18 years but "cut his styling teeth" at Capello 24 years ago.

The transition, Lauricella said, has been smooth.

"I'm very detail-oriented so I hope I can help my dada on the business end," he added. "I would love to be running this place one day and keep the family business going."

Lauricella hopes that the transition has also been smooth for his clients, who now receive services from Capello.

"The silver lining in all this is that my clients will now have a broader menu of services available to them," he said. "They love it because it's kind of like being in New York City or Toronto. It's the closest you're going to get in Western New York."

Lauricella's return has also been a positive move for his father, John.

"It will be wonderful to have John Paul as part of Capello's," John said. "He is an exceptional stylist and colorist, and we're thrilled to have him back on our team."

"It's fun being around fun, enthusiastic people," Lauricella added to his father's statements. "Providence has a way of working in our lives."

Capello's hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, at all three locations. The other two locations are 9424 Transit Road in East Amherst and the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.

For more information, call 634-4111.