Success of La Mirage is no illusion

FRANKLIN — While much of Main Street in Franklin seems to have withered over the years as businesses have migrated to nearby Route 23, at least one beehive of activity has remained. La Mirage the Hair Salon celebrated 10 years at this location on Jan. 16.

With almost 40 years in the hair styling business, owner Judi Stampone is the brains and talent behind the salon’s success. After receiving her accreditation from Capri Institute in Clifton, Stampone worked at upscale salons in Wayne, Livingston, West Orange, Totowa and Lafayette before opening La Mirage in Franklin, where she has lived for the past 14 years.

“When I opened La Mirage, I had just been divorced,” says Stampone. “I was working in Lafayette at that time, but needed to be closer to my kids” here in Franklin. “At first I called the business Elegance, but when I changed to an LLC (Limited Liability Company), that name was already taken. I had always liked the name La Mirage, so I decided to use that.”

Stampone brims with pride, standing next to a celebratory basket of lollipops as she speaks about the last 10 years, and the many loyal clients who have been key to her success.

“My favorite part of being in my business is the people," she said. "I meet so many kinds of people.”

Her clients come from all over Sussex County, and many of them from further afield, as far as south Jersey. It is obvious that Stampone feels close to many of them. And nearly 100 of them have donated their hair to Locks of Love over the last 10 years. Locks of Love is an organization that receives hair to make hairpieces for children with cancer.

“And here is the best thing that has happened to the salon,” says Stampone with a smile as she indicates her new stylist, Charlene Kraemer.

Kraemer joined La Mirage several months ago, coming from New Creations, formerly a salon also in Franklin. She graduated from Christine Valmy International School of Cosmetology in Pine Brook. Both Stampone and Kraemer continue their education on a regular basis with classes and courses.

“I would like to thank my clients and the town of Franklin for my great success over the years,” says Stampone. “ I plan to have just as much success in the next 10 years. I couldn’t be happier — I love my career and where it has taken me.

La Mirage is a family salon catering to men and women of all ages.