fUSION Color Bar Fuses 'Accessibility, Affordability and Creativity'

Rocco "Rocky" Plateroti was born in Italy, but he is living the American dream and pursuing his passion – working with his hands as a hairstylist and making women beautiful. 

The Mahopac resident, who owns a successful hair salon in Scarsdale, , has opened up a second business in Yorktown. 

But this one is different. 

, located on Lee Road, is a new concept salon, which was designed to meet the needs of today's busy woman. It only offers a specialized service – color. Color only and no haircuts. 

"It's about fusing accessibility, affordability and creativity," Plateroti said of his business. 

The salon is a walk-in studio only and no appointments are necessary – customers don't need to book a specific colorista. A color consultation is done each visit to ensure the client's needs are met and to let them know what services will be performed and how much they would cost. Plateroti said his coloristas are all trained by him, so they can perform every service. 

The color bar offers a variety of color services – root touch-ups, color correction, highlights, treatments, glossing and more. 

After a consultation with a master colorist, customers can choose to have the hair color applied at the salon (prices start at $44.90) or have their personalized formula packaged in an at-home kit (which starts at $24.90).

The at-home kit includes a jar of the client's personalized color, brush, gloves and directions on how to self-apply the color. If you return the recyclable jar to fUSION, clients will receive $2 off their next purchase. 

Should a client choose to have the dye applied at the salon and once the process is complete, the client can blow dry and style his or her own hair in the back of the salon with complimentary use of some of the salon's products. The coloristas will give tips and directions if the clients needs it.  

Plateroti, who first got into the business because he loved working with his hands, has been in the industry for the last 35 years. He has also been an educator for more than two decades teaching hairdressers about the business and holding weekly classes for his staff at his Scarsdale hair salon. 

He had the concept to specialize in one thing for years. Plateroti said he understands women's needs and sometimes you just need to get your hair done right away and not wait for an appointment. 

"It's about making your lives easier," he said. "There is no other salon that's doing this."

It was also the bad economy that made him take a shot at a second business last year, Plateroti said. He noticed people weren't going to the hair salon as often, clients were spreading out their appointments or buying color at the local drug store. 

"People could save money and get a good service," he said of fUSION and the services it offers.

In addition, Plateroti feels strongly about giving back to the community and he has developed a program to give back to the local schools.

When a client purchases an at-home kit, he or she will receive a point. Once the points have been accumulated, a client can bring the proof of purchase to his or her local school. The designated coordinator at the school will collect the proof of purchase and redeem them for supplies.

"Without the community I wouldn't exist," he said. 

What brings the most joy to him is seeing a client walking out of the salon with a smile. So far, his idea to revolutionize the way hair salons are operating, he said, has been working.

"I see the specializing being the future of this business because you specialize in one thing and that's what you do," Plateroti said.

fUSION Color Bar is located at 3653 Lee Rd. in Jefferson Valley. It's open 5 days a week: Monday and Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.;  Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

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