The Chisel Makes Its Mark On Main Street
Beacon’s newest salon and barber experience, The Chisel, 155 Main Street. (Photo credit: The Chisel)
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Richard Corio, owner and head stylist of The Chisel—Main Street’s newest salon and barber concept– learned his craft from some of the biggest names in hair. He earned his hairstyling stripes early in his career training with the legendary Oribe Canales, the celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of the phenomenally successful Oribe Hair Care brand.
From there, Richard worked with fashion hair icons Garren (R+Co) and Sally Hershberger, the stylist best known for redefining the super-flattering shag hairstyle made famous by Meg Ryan and other Hollywood A-listers. With this impressive resumé under his belt—plus stints at the spectacular Bumble & bumble flagship location in New York City’s Meatpacking District and the original Tommy Gun’s barbershop in Williamsburg—Richard opened his own concept in Cold Spring in 2017 called Barber & Brew, in an original barbershop from the 1800s. And this September, he quietly opened The Chisel (155 Main Street, Beacon).
The Early Days
New Wave, Richard’s father’s salon in Ridgewood, NJ, opened in 1976. (Photo credit: The Chisel)
Richard was sweeping hair from the floor of New Wave, his father’s salon, long before he felt the draw of New York City. New Wave opened in Ridgewood, NJ in 1976, and it quickly became known as a cool spot for cool kids. Ever ahead of the curve on everything from hairstyling to salon design to music, Richard’s dad went on to own and run three popular salons in North Jersey over the next two decades. And while Richard worked at each, the quasi-punk vibe at New Wave made him feel most at home.
The By Hand Nature of Hairstyling And Woodworking
The interior of The Chisel with handcrafted solid wood furnishings crafted by owner Richard Corio.
Fast-forward to 2025, and life has come full circle—in a good way. Just as Richard’s parents ran their salon business together, Richard and his wife Liz have embarked on the same life journey. Liz is The Chisel’s Chief Operating Officer, responsible for ensuring everything from operations to the client experience runs seamlessly.
The couple decided to combine Richard’s passion for haircutting with his love of woodworking. And so, The Chisel is a nod to the “by hand” nature of hairstyling and woodworking. Richard handcrafted all its solid wood furnishings, having apprenticed in the early 2000s with well-established furniture maker, Robert Martin, who he was introduced to by his long-time client, Madison Cox, the celebrated garden designer.
Liz explains, “The principles of handcrafting are the same, whether it’s deft scissor work for a hairstyle or a chisel to create a piece of beautiful furniture—it takes precision, attention to detail, and the ability to problem-solve.”
When pressed on what an achievement launching The Chisel has been, Richard’s understated response is, “I’d rather people know that I have a lot of great friends rather than take all the credit for this. It’s been a labor of love for me, but it’s been a team effort every step of the way.” One friend helped to develop The Chisel’s website, and another created its beautiful branding and photography style. Fellow woodworkers assisted Richard in sourcing wood for the furnishings and provided inspiration and ideas. A restaurant designer friend consulted on the stunning lighting and flow to help create a space that’s equally welcoming, elegant, and practical for precision hairstyling.
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
Beyond attracting clients, Richard’s approach focuses on attracting the best possible hair cutting talent. Talent, after all, is what builds a loyal clientele. From his decades of experience, Richard knows today’s talent—and client—is looking for the middle space that’s welcoming and inclusive. He designed the shop with that in mind.
Working alongside Richard—who is the head stylist and barber—is Melissa Caul, a stylist and barber equally skilled at all adults’ and kids’ hair. Brendan Walsh focuses on barbering for anyone wanting a precise, clean-lined short cut. Plus, there’s Alice, Richard and Liz’s sweet-natured Old English Sheepdog and CGO, (“Chief Greeting Officer”). When not napping, Alice works the salon to make sure everyone feels at home.
Care For The Client
The Chisel team is dedicated to care for the client from start to finish. (Photo credit: The Chisel)
The Chisel team wants every client to walk out the door feeling they’ve gotten a flattering, feelgood hairstyle and exactly the experience they were looking for. Richard explains, “When you have a client in the chair, it’s important to understand their cues. If they want to be quiet and just relax, we pick up on that and respect it. If they want a good chat or a laugh, we can do that, too. Most importantly, the client comes first.”
Cult Hair Products
High performing, eco-conscious hair products from Davines.
Lovers of high performing, cult hair products that are as good for the planet as they are for your hair will be thrilled that The Chisel carries an impressive range of Davines products for every hair type, not just for use in the backbar but also available for retail. The Chisel team chose Davines for its all-gender appeal and eco-friendly commitments as well as its top-notch salon grade performance—yet another compelling reason to stop in and check out the salon where you’ll also find modern barber classics including pomades and clays from Layrite Men’s Grooming.
A Grand Opening Celebration
The Chisel’s Grand Opening Celebration takes place Saturday, October 11th (9 AM to 6 PM). The team invites you to swing by, enjoy a hair consult, meet the team, or simply hang with CGO Alice. Clients who book or complete an appointment that day, or who purchase $50 worth of product will earn a chance for door prize giveaways including a custom cutting board made by Richard and merch from The Chisel. You’ll also receive a coupon for 25% off your next retail hair purchase if you sign up for their mailing list in person or give them an Instagram follow in person that day.
So, if you haven’t already, stop in and see for yourself what a beautiful new addition to Main Street The Chisel is. But prepare to get noticed; you may be just one step away from a new eye-catching hairstyle. Visit The Chisel website to book an appointment.
Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡
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