Diane's Place: A Place Like Home

Fifteen years ago, Diane Basile had an idea. She wanted to open up a hair salon where Port Washington residents' wants and needs would be catered to, a place where they would feel at home, a place she called Diane's Place.

With no previous business experience, Basile took everything she had left in her savings account and went after her dream. Now, after a decade-and-a-half of service, Diane's Place continues to be a cozy and welcoming place with a staff that caters to its clients' every need.

Customers said the prices are reasonable and the location is great, but there is something about Diane's Place that other salons do not offer — a comfortable, homey feeling. Many describe it as "a place like home."

"It's like coming to a friend's house and getting a haircut," said Linda Ladislaw, a customer at Diane's since the shop opened 15 years ago. "On Monday, she still does hair, favors for people, even though she's closed."

Diane's Place, at 191 Main Street, offers up-do's, hair coloring, razor cuts, layered cuts, angled cuts and chippings. "From birth to 99," Basile said, the salon serves men, women and children averaging $25 per haircut.

Some customers said what sets Diane's Place apart from other salons is that Basile really cares about how her customers feel about their hair and is accommodating to their schedules. Others said they come to Diane's simply because of the owner's hair styling skills and up-beat attitude. "Diane is a wonderful person; friendly and accommodating," said Liz Jennings, who has been a customer for 12 years. "She does good haircuts, and she knows which one is best for me."

Kathy Campbell, a customer for the past five years, said Diane's reminds her of "Truvy's Beauty Salon" from the movie, "Steel Magnolia." "Everybody talks to each other," she said. "There are no strangers. It's a little community."

The salon is decorated each month to match the upcoming season or holiday. For Valentine's Day, Basile hung up red and pink hearts, posters of cupid and a sign in the front window that says, "Love is in the Hair."

Over the years, Diane's Place made some changes and improvements. When the business first opened, the salon only offered three incomplete lines of hair products. Today, Diane's Place has seven full lines all available for purchase, including Redken, Rusk, Deva, Bed Head, Matrix, and Fairy Tales. The salon also sells professional hot curling and flat irons, brushes, hair accessories and nail polish.

But it's not all about hair at Diane's. The salon is heavily involved within the Port Washington community. Basile often donates clothing and money to non-profit organizations and participates in local fundraisers. She welcomes Port Washington vendors to sell greeting cards, chocolate, fashion jewelry, and seasonal gifts, such as Christmas and Easter gift baskets, at the salon. There is even a wall full of business cards, help wanted advertisements, and stickers from businesses throughout Port Washington.

Customers and employees alike agree that Diane's Place provides the perfect mix of hair and home. "I love doing hair, listening to the gossip and drama," said Sandra Cichello, who has worked at Diane's for 13 years. "It's like family, social and work, all rolled up in one."