What does it mean for a family business to have a legacy in beauty? At Panico Salon & Spa in Ridgewood, New Jersey, it means 65 years of one family behind the chairs — founded by Jack Panico Sr., carried on by his son Jack Panico Jr., and now shaped by third-generation siblings Brianna and Jaxon Panico. According to City Lifestyle, the salon is celebrating that 65-year mark this season.
The story is a useful window into how a family-run beauty business actually works: what gets passed down, what each generation adds, and why clients stay for decades. It also connects to a bigger idea of lifestyle — the places and routines that hold a community together over time.
Who started Panico Salon, and when?
According to City Lifestyle, the salon was founded by Jack Panico Sr., an International Haircutting Champion. From the start, the business built its reputation on two things: artistry and education. The source describes an "unwavering commitment to education" as part of the founding vision.
His son, Jack Panico Jr., took the salon forward. His contribution, per the same account, was expanding the business into a luxury beauty destination while keeping the personal experience clients had come to expect. That balance — growth without losing the familiar — is the thread that runs through the whole story.
What does "third generation" mean here?
Third generation simply means the grandchildren of the founder now work in the business. At Panico, those are siblings Brianna and Jaxon Panico. According to City Lifestyle, they are helping shape the salon's future while honoring the foundation built by their grandfather and father.
Brianna's path is the most documented. She trained as a colorist in New York and Miami before returning to the family salon. "My career as a colorist began in New York and Miami, where I had the opportunity to travel, learn and work alongside incredibly talented artists," she told City Lifestyle. The point of that detour: she came back with her own perspective rather than simply stepping into a role.
What Brianna says the work is really about
Her framing of the family philosophy is worth quoting in full. "Growing up in the salon, I learned that beauty is about so much more than hair," she told the publication. "It's about making people feel confident, cared for and seen." That is the stated heart of the business — and it echoes the idea behind our own beauty coverage: the craft matters, but so does how the experience leaves you feeling.
What services does the salon offer?
According to City Lifestyle, Panico specializes in:
- Custom color
- Precision haircuts
- Certified hair extensions
- Bridal styling
- Texture treatments
- Signature blowouts
Every service begins with an in-depth consultation, so the experience is designed around each guest's lifestyle, features and goals. If you are building a beauty routine of your own, a consultation-first approach is a habit worth borrowing anywhere — the same logic as knowing your fabric and fit before you buy clothes.
Why does education matter so much to this family?
Education has been a defining principle since the founding. The salon runs an advanced in-house education program where every stylist keeps refining techniques and learning new ones. "We never stop learning," Brianna told City Lifestyle. "Education has always been one of the biggest priorities in our family because the beauty industry is constantly evolving."
That investment does two jobs at once. It keeps the salon current, and it creates room for the next generation of professionals to grow within the company. In a trade where skills are the product, that is the practical engine of a legacy — not sentiment, but training.
What is The Lifestyle Building?
The salon sits within The Lifestyle Building in downtown Ridgewood. According to City Lifestyle, the space brings together hair artistry, wellness, medi-spa services, Pilates and luxury retail under one roof. The idea behind it: looking your best begins with feeling your best. It is a broader take on wellness than a traditional salon visit — one appointment can touch several parts of a routine. Readers following this should also see Frugal Lifestyle: Lifestyle Changes That Save Money Without Feeling Like Sacrifice.
What keeps clients coming back?
Relationships, by the family's own account. "Our clients have become an extension of our family," Brianna told the publication. "We've celebrated weddings, babies, graduations and so many milestones together." The salon has also participated in Fashion Week, appeared on television makeover programs and earned recognition as a beauty industry leader — yet the account stresses it has stayed grounded in warm hospitality, craftsmanship and genuine relationships.
As Thanksgiving approached, Brianna said the family's greatest gratitude belongs to the clients, team members and community who supported Panico through every chapter. Sixty-five years in, the salon welcomes first-time guests alongside families who have trusted it for generations.
That is the real answer to what a legacy in beauty looks like: a founder's standard, a second generation that grew the business without breaking it, and a third that trained elsewhere and chose to come back. The trust, as Brianna frames it, is the legacy itself. We covered a connected angle in Two New Books Ask What Men's Style Actually Looks Like.
