Cookie Cutters really cuts the mustard (and the hair)

Hairstylist Amy Wolters cuts the air of a young customer in the kid-friendly surroundings at Cookie Cutters. (Photo by Pat Stokes)

By PAT STOKES

Sometimes the most seemingly upbeat, non-soul-searching kind of business, such as a hair-cuttery for example, can surprise you by revealing an unsuspected interior life.

This highly colorful fun place is located at 7932 Germantown Ave. in a traditional house with a porch reached by a few stone stairs and wood railing that lend an old-fashioned character, but inside all is up-to-date and then some. The cutting action takes place in a room full of bright colors, a storybook spot if there ever was one. Absent is the big barber chair, or the more sedate ladies’ chair and the big-mirrored wall.

Present are: a scaled down motorcycle (the Easy Rider type) that actually starts up and revs up with a turn of the wheel on the handlebars, just like the real thing. What a thrill for any little boy (or girl), breezing along, almost unaware that the clippers are doing their thing. There’s also a childsize fire truck, a red convertible, Clifford the Dog and the pink roadster shown in the accompanying photo being driven by a very young customer while she watches Willy Wonka on a flat-screen TV after having her hair washed while lying down on her back in a large firetruck, her head over the sink. Even though the water comes from a “fire hose,” nary a drop went down her back. What fun!

Specialties here include hair braiding and beading, Shirley Temple manicures for little girls, and mock shaves with lots of lather for little boys who come in with daddy. Of course there’s a Birthday Party Package, which includes all of the above, plus balloons and refreshments. Even teens love this place; they call it awesome.

Cookie Cutters is a franchise started in 1994 in Indianapolis, which is now headquarters for 22 salons over seven states. The president of the salon here in Chestnut Hill is Lainey Moseley, mother of four. She’s very much aware of how traumatic the haircut experience can be for some small children. “It’s been an incredibly successful venture,” says Lainey. “Like many parents, I was tired of taking children to regular adult salons where the children resist the haircut because of, maybe, the sound of the scissors near their ear, which can be scary if you’re a little kid. So often the whole routine was difficult and resulted in a bad haircut.”

Here at Cookie Cutters, a child comes, chooses a chair, climbs in smiling broadly. Everyone is relaxed and happy. Is that bliss or what? Also, on the front porch is an airplane, the perfect choice for a child who is maybe into a screaming fit. Out there it’s quiet, she/he climbs in, plays with the controls, and things go smoothly. All chairs have seatbelts.

Moseley was with CBS News for 10 years as producer of 48 Hours, and her ability in the role of producer is evident. She left CBS about a year after she married. She and husband Rick then moved to Indianapolis, where she worked again as a producer, and there she discovered Cookie Cutters. She recognized it right away as a natural for her, since it would be helpful to the PDD (Pervasive Developmental Delay) special needs of her seven-year-old daughter Leta, and could involve the other children as well, teaching them to observe the work ethic firsthand.

Jack, age 9, comes in, sweeps the floor, blows up balloons and helps out generally. The others, Leta, 4-year-old Lucy and even 2-year-old Ava have fun there. “It’s a real family affair,” says Lainey. Outreach to the special needs child is a major force here. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Children’s Hospital and the Camp Hill School, and in addition, Cookie Cutters is affiliated with Locks of Love, which uses donated hair to make wigs for young disadvantaged chemo patients.

Also part of the production is Jennifer Finnerty, stylist and manager, and Amy Wolters, stylist. Both previously worked in adult salons, often “doing” kids. “We know what works for children,” says Jennifer. The receptionist is Alison Okonski.

By way of introducing this fun new venture to the Hill, on Saturday, June 18, there will be a Grand Opening, offering face painting, clowns, live guitar music, Chewy the gingerbread man come to life, haircuts raffled off, refreshments and fun for everyone from 10 to 5. Save the date.

Cookie Cutters is open Monday through Friday, 10 – 7; Saturday, 10 – 6, with Sundays saved for birthday parties to be booked in advance. Phone: 215-247-5437. Stop in. It’s adorable in there. See you on the Avenue.