Pio Imperati, the salon owner of Pio of Italy, Hair studio, took a chance 15 years ago. It was when he hired hairdresser Kathy Moura fresh out of technical high school. Imperati offered her his famous New Haven, Connecticut, firm for $1 since it worked out so well. In 1965, Pio and Carole Imperati founded Pio of Italy, Hair Studio. The company has moved about a little before settling on its current location on Walley Avenue approximately 50 years ago.
“She’s a good hairdresser, a good barber. She’s very nice,” Imperati told the New Haven Register about the sale of Pio of Italy Hair Studio. “I sold it to her for $1 so we would remain friends.”
While Moura will pay Imperati rent, she will avoid paying tens of thousands of dollars to buy a salon with all of the necessary equipment, supplies, and clients. Imperati, who is 79 years old, is currently working there as an independent contractor.
“Eventually, it was a dream of mine come true to be able to turn the salon over to someone worthy,” he said.
Imperati has been in business for nearly 56 years in various locations and formats, starting with a barbershop in 1965.
Moura, 32, recalled that when she finished school, “No one would hire me because I didn’t have any experience”. She called a teacher for help. The teacher gave her Imperati’s phone number. He and his wife gave her a tryout and eventually hired her.
“We grew like a family. … That’s how he treats everyone who walks into the salon,” Moura said of Imperati. “Any person who works here, wants you to flourish and become something of yourself.”
