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LAPLACE — The first ribbon cutting in St. John the Baptist Parish since Hurricane Ida was celebrated Thursday as G&G Hair Designs opened its new, beautifully renovated location at 534 Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace.

Owned by husband and wife team Gino and Gina Fortino, G&G Hair Designs is a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon that has served St. John the Baptist Parish since 2009. The G&G Team includes master stylists with more than 30 years of experience.

Customers have become family over the years, and those tight-knit relationships helped Gino and Gina persevere after their old salon on W. Airline Highway was obliterated by Hurricane Ida.

Gina Fortino said customers have checked in on them every step of the way as they put their hearts and souls into securing a new location for the business.

“We’ve formed relationships with people in this community, and they depend on us to get their hair done. To me, that’s what it’s all about,” Gina said. “It doesn’t matter what’s going on. People still want their hair done. If their hair looks good, they feel better about themselves.”

It was devastating to lose the old location because of the work that went into remodeling it. Working 12 hours a day for three months, the Fortinos completely transformed the old Times-Picayune office into a full-service salon. The same amount of time and attention was put into the new location on Belle Terre. While the new salon has an elegant atmosphere, Gino carried over his signature “man cave” room for barbershop services.

As Gino lifted ceilings, installed floors and put finishing touches on walls in the new location, some people joked that he should be doing home renovations full-time. But Gino reminded them that hair has been his passion for more than 40 years, and that’s not changing anytime soon.

Gino worked in Metairie before coming to LaPlace to care for his mother after Hurricane Katrina. His wife, Gina, went to school for cosmetology and always had a passion for hair and makeup. She went back to school and finally followed her passion 15 years ago after spending time with Gino as he worked in a salon. Soon after, the couple became a dream team and opened their own shop.

Some question how it’s possible for a husband and wife to work together so seamlessly. For Gino and Gina, owning a business together is the easiest thing in the world.

“It is an absolute joy. When I’m not here, he misses me. We truly have a passion for hair, and we are a great team,” Gina said.

Gino and Gina are both amazing at color and cuts. While Gino also does barbering, Gina specializes in makeup and updos for weddings and formal events. G&G Hair Designs also offers waxing and other small services.

Among the experienced team are master stylists Ashley Clement and Linda Granier. The entire team participates in continued education and extensive training to help members of the community look and feel their best.

St. John Parish Economic Development Director Stanley Bienemy is hopeful that new business openings such as this one will spur development along the Belle Terre coordidor and make the parish a better place to live and work.

Business hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome.

For more information about G&G Hair Designs, call 985-210-1180 or visit gnghairdesign.vssinc.biz