Brick Cosmetology School Closes Unexpectedly

BRICK, NJ — Hundreds of cosmetology students across the state find themselves in limbo after the Capri Institute, a cosmetology school chain with a location in Brick, unexpectedly closed last week.

Students told New Jersey News 12 that the school closed in the middle of classes last week. Teachers reportedly told students that they were closing for 30 days, according to NJ 101.5. Many students have paid thousands of dollars in tuition, but have no idea if they will be able to receive their license.

While the Brick location is temporarily closed, the Brick Times reported that four other centers, including the school’s Paramus headquarters, were listed as permanently closed.

Teachers at the Brick location reportedly told students on Dec. 1 that they were temporarily closing, one parent told 101.5. Michelle Leonard of Toms River, whose 20-year-old daughter Haley attends the Brick location, that teachers told students that they had not received paychecks for the last few weeks. Leonard also reported that students were told the school was closing due to COVID-19 protocols, but neither she nor her daughter were aware of any positive cases.

Students were reportedly given transcripts without a signature or seal, which makes the transcripts unofficial, and difficult to transfer to another program. Another student told CBS2 that dozens of students came to the Brick location on Friday hoping to get transcripts and contracts. Student Sarah Lavroff told CBS that students knocked on the school’s windows Friday, but staff ignored them and eventually called the police. Lavroff, who said she recorded the incident on her cell phone, also said that she eventually received her transcript, but without the signature and seal, it is practically useless.

Numerous news outlets said that they tried unsuccessfully to contact the Capri Institute at any of its four locations across North and Central New Jersey. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs told News 12 that it has received 13 complaints against the school since Dec. 1, and the cases are open and under review.