40 years and going strong in Rockville Centre

James Bilello remembers June 1972 like it was yesterday. It was 40 years ago that he opened Leonardo’s Hair Design on North Long Beach Road after working in a Manhattan salon.

For nearly a month Bilello was Leonardo’s most requested stylist and also the receptionist, manager, colorist and shampoo person. In fact, he was his only employee. Since then he has been joined by his wife, Enrica, now the salon’s colorist, his daughter, Annmarie, a senior stylist, and some of the most talented hair and beauty professionals on Long Island who have each completed advanced training in hair design and color application.

Leonardo’s, named after Bilello’s late father, was among the first salons to offer organic coloring, texture waves, body waves and its own line of professional quality hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners and styling aids. Its new organic keratin smoothing system is a certified organic relaxer that gently removes unwanted curl and frizz from hair.

Over the years Leonardo’s has been recognized as a leader in both in the beauty industry and the community. Leonardo’s has received recognition for its beautifully landscaped storefront. For each season and holiday, the salon is always among the best and most brightly decorated — so well that it received a holiday lighting award from the Village of Rockville Centre. Leonardo’s has also been named Salon of the Year by the international beauty industry trade magazine that judges salons throughout the United States. Bilello and the salon have been featured in “Who’s Who in Fashion and Beauty” and Pulse magazine.

“It’s your staff that makes you a success,” said Bilello, “Any general without his troops is nothing.”