Dubbed the Pizza Capital of the World, Old Forge is a borough in Lackawanna County, not far from Scranton, at the junction of Ascension Brook and the Lackawanna River. Named for a forge built by Dr. William Hooker Smith, the community features a labyrinth of mine tunnels running underneath it.
Above ground, there's Stazione Salon & Spa, housed in an old train station that dates back more than 100 years. Owners Amy Thomas and Amy Rodano discovered the space when a family friend mentioned the beautiful building had been vacant for the last 10 years. They completely renovated it to look like the original station, keeping all the old woodwork and relying on old pictures to create an accurate representation.
 TOP TO BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT: Stazione is housed in an old train station; the renovated space remains true to its heritage; a treatment room (the owners hope to add more next year); a pedicure station; the shampoo area. |
Opening their own salon had long been a dream of Thomas and Rodano, who have both been doing hair for the past six years. Though only in their 20s, the pair overcame the challenges of starting a new business and opened Stazione in June with a lot of help from family, and by utilizing the clientele they had built. "We came from a bigger salon and spa and wanted to bring something more unique and upscale to this small area," says Thomas.
They chose Old Forge in part because of its close-knit, friendly atmosphere. "Everybody knows everybody, and everybody tries to help everybody," says Thomas, who grew up nearby. The town has warmly welcomed Stazione, a full-service salon that also offers spa services, such as massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.
Despite the great response they've received so far, Thomas and Rodano are not content to rest on their laurels. Next year they plan to add more rooms in the basement and some additional spa services to the menu as well. —SAMANTHA BEERMAN
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