The Art of Organic Hair Care

In a community known for the arts, hair may not be the typical canvas but for  owner Jennifer Gero, tending to those numerous strands in an environmentally friendly manner is an expression.

“Hairdressing has become an art for me and my art is about organic living,” Gero said.

Since day one, Gero has sought to offer salon services in a different way. She feels that many of the traditional products used in salons are not good for the environment or those using them.

“Inhaling those on a daily basis is not good,” she said.

While she does sell non-certified Paul Mitchell products, Gero said she uses four certified styling lines.

Of course their not the least expensive products but there but Gero feels she remains competitive, especially in the Valley area.

A women’s cut and shampoo, for example, starts at $38 and all over color at $80.

The salon offers numerous other services such as full foil, waxing, straightening, manicures and more.

“It’s expensive to carry but I want to stay fair to my clients,” she said. “The difference is we are organic. I take a lot of pride in that.”

Gero grew up in Torrington and lives in Avon. She has worked in salons since she was 15 but Rootz has been her first and only business. This June it will be 8 years.  

Mary Ellen Mullins said she loves to the salon for many reasons.

“I like when you walk in there’s not that smell of chemicals,” she said. And then there’s the location. “It’s a cool salon, with cool people, in a cool town,” Mullins said.

For Gero, one of the greatest parts of her business is indeed being in Collinsville.  

Being in downtown Collinsville assures that tradesmen and selectmen can occasionally be spotted getting a hair cut. Of course, clients come in for lunch and a cut as well.

“The diversity – where people can be themselves — I lke that," Gero said. "I truly love to come here everyday."

And of course, there’s plenty of artistic inspiration.

And Gero brings that into her salon, selling many small handcrafted items and displaying the work of area artists like Chris O’Herron, Jon Art, Jim Koplar and Kate McAllister. Most is for sale as well.

“It’s nice to show their work and support local artists,” she said.

Rootz 

110 Main St. Collinsville 
(860) 693-8173

Hours 

Tuesday — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Thursday — 1 to 8 p.m. 
Friday — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Saturday — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.