Asije Mamudi owns Aviara Salon & Spa next to Vinnie’s Pizza in Middlebury Edge. She bought the former Sammi-Gene three years ago. (Marjorie Needham photo)
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Asije Mamudi, owner of Aviara Salon & Spa in Middlebury, has loved styling hair ever since she was a child. So it was natural that she would go to hairdressing school in her native Macedonia. While she was studying there, she met her husband, Muamet. He grew up in Waterbury but had traveled to Macedonia to visit relatives. The two fell in love and became engaged, and in 1999, Asije came to the United States. She and Muamet married in 2000. She went to hairdressing school here so she could continue her passion.
As the years passed, children were born; first a daughter, Adriana, and then a son, Dilan. But all the while Asije continued to work, doing what she loved, cutting, styling, and coloring women’s hair while working in area salons. Her advice to others is, “You should follow your dream. You should do what you love.”
In 2013, she bought her own salon, the former Sammi-Gene Salon and Spa in Middlebury Edge. “I always wanted to have my own place,” she said. “It’s every hairdresser’s dream.”
Looking around at the beautifully decorated salon, Asije said, “Hard work pays off. You can’t sit at home and wait for things to come to you.” She added, “I give my thanks to the loyal customers who made me what I am today.”
Asije and Maumet completely remodeled the salon, which is spotless. She said, “I like the location. It is close to Watertown, Waterbury and Naugatuck, and the parking is great. I like it because it has so much potential.”
Aviara offers a range of services in addition to hair cutting, coloring and styling. Need your nails done? They offer manicures and pedicures. They also offer facials, including eye treatments for fine lines, wrinkles and puffiness; microdermabrasion; and man facials. Clients can get massages – aromatherapy, deep tissue, hot stone are among the massage offerings. Waxing also is offered – both body and facial. And color services include eyebrow tints.
When it comes to special events like weddings and proms, the salon goes all out. For the Pomperaug High School prom June 5, Asije is not only offering special prices on hairdo/makeup packages, she also is opening prom day, a Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. so young ladies attending prom can have their hair and makeup done that day.
Aviara Salon & Spa is at 1655 Straits Turnpike in Middlebury, next to Vinnie’s Pizza. It is open Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reach them at 203-598-7800. They are online at www.aviarasalon.com and on Facebook.
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