The  kids’ hair care experts here at Pigtails & Crewcuts aren’t the only ones who love Original Sprout. The product line was recently selected by Soleil Moon Frye (aka Punky Brewster) to feature on the Today Show as part of the “Great New Inventions from Moms and Dads Next Door” segment. It’s also been highlighted in dozens of renowned magazines and websites, and it’s deserving of the attention.

Original Sprout was started by a mom. After many fruitless searches for natural, healthy hair products for her little ones, she did what all mom-preneurs do: she created the hair products herself. All of the hair and skin care items in the line are biodegradable, 100 percent vegan and free of all of the things we at Pigtails & Crewcuts work to avoid in our hair regimen (namely phytoestrogens, soy, gluten, parabens, dixoanes from sulfates, phthalates and formaldehyde.)

Pigtails & Crewcuts stylists love the shampoo and conditioner because it leaves the hair feeling light, clean, healthy and moisturized. We also love the line because we’re always happy to support a small business, and because we think the world of the products. Find out why at our Mt. Prospect salon.

Fun trivia note: Original Sprout products are famous! They’ve been used on the movie sets of True Blood, Water for Elephants, Secretariat, The Descendants, Dolphin Tale 3D and the list goes on.

Help make the holidays brighter for your neighbor! The Mount Prospect Holiday Meal Basket program is running extremely low and Pigtails & Crewcuts wants to help. Bring in a food pantry donation and we’ll give you $2 off your next visit. The Holiday Meal Basket program serves 120 families during both holidays, and also has a long wait list. Requested items include the following:

Items needed: 
Canned Fruit & Fruit Cups                Pasta Roni / Hamburger Helper
Canned Ravioli, Spaghetti,etc.          Popcorn
Canned Refried Beans                        Potatoes (Boxed or canned)
Coffee / Tea                                          Pudding & Pudding Cups
Condiments                                          Rice
Crackers                                                Sloppy Joe Mix
Dried Pinto Beans                               Stuffing Mix
Jam & Jelly                                          Paper Napkins or Towels
Pancake Mix                                        Toilet Paper
Pancake Syrup                                     Baby Diapers – Sizes 4, 5, & 6

PLEASE NO:
–CANNED FOODS OVER 32 oz. OR PACKAGES OVER 5 lbs.
–HOMEMADE FOODS.
–OPENED CONTAINERS OF FOOD.
–PASSED EXPIRATION DATES

Please see the Mount Prospect website for more information or call 847/870-5680.

Today, we’re blushing. People are talking about us and they’re saying the nicest things! We’re usually not ones to brag, but we just had to share.

We recently offered a deal for our Randhurst/Mt Prospect salon through Living Social. Following that deal, Living Social asked our customers for feedback, and our fans have spoken! We received 84 positive reviews–that translates to 99 percent “thumbs up!”

Here are a few notes that customers left:

- Absolutely my favorite place to take my kids for a hair cut. Without a doubt we will be going there for a long time.

- The people there were VERY nice! I took my twins the last day of the voucher and they made sure to fit us in on a very busy day. The woman who took care of my daughter (who didn’t want to get a hair cut) was very nice and was very gentle with my daughter’s tangles. I highly recommend this place and will definitely return.

- Cool place for kids. My son didn’t want to leave because he wanted to play with their toys and train set. Great haircut, too. Mom was very happy with it.

- My three girls got great hair cuts! We will definitely go back again!

- This is SUCH an inviting place to bring kids, and siblings who are waiting!!! The staff at Randhurst is so friendly, and professional. My boys and I love it there!

- Nice staff; good haircut!

- Who doesn’t love a kid’s haircut at a great price! But there’s more. The salon was clean and inviting. The staff was friendly and very good–gentle and calm. They turned the TVs and the vehicles my girls were sitting in so they could have a great view. We will definitely be coming back!

- I have been to both locations at the Glen and in Randhurst. Staff is awesome at both!

- Very nice people and great kids’ cuts!

- Was a great party! Thank you for all you did!

- The staff is great with kids and unbelievably patient.

- Theresa Lamb is so good with children. Our sons look so handsome!

- Both of my children received WONDERFUL haircuts. They were fast, yet thorough. We also loved all the treats, prizes, movie playing, fun chairs, etc. It was a terrific experience! We will definitely return!

- Friendly staff made for a really good experience for my little ones and for me.

- We really liked it, the place was very clean and the people were very friendly. They listened to what kind of haircut we wanted for our son and did a nice job. I liked that they had the same movie on all TV’s so that it would not be too many different things going on (good idea), but the only problem I can see with that, is if your kid does not like what is on, it will not keep their attention which can make for a difficult cut. I also like that they don’t sell toys. I don’t want my child to think that he should get a toy every time he gets his haircut.

- Service was fantastic, no wait, they were fantastic with my kids, who are normally very difficult, place was super clean, definitely recommend.

- I loved the decor, the courteousness of the staff, and the play areas. It was a refreshing change from places that overwhelm you and your kids with toys to buy. This was a great spot, and my son’s haircut was perfect!

- Really pleasant and helpful staff/owner! Great haircut, too. Very nice environment. Loved that it wasn’t a toy store, too. Will absolutely be going back!

- We had a very positive experience at Pigtails and Crewcuts. The stylists were great with my son and they cut his hair exactly how we wanted. My son is not even 2 yet and he was very shy. The stylist had him sit on my lap and she talked to him the whole time so he felt comfortable. We will definitely continue going to Pigtails and Crewcuts!

The fantastic family blog Super Suburbs published a glowing review of Pigtails & Crewcuts Mt Prospect, outlining what mom blogger Betsie Estes loves about our salon. Thanks Betsie! We look forward to following your blog, and to seeing you and the kids again soon.

The  Chicago Sun-Times published a great story on Pigtails & Crewcuts and the Glenview and Mount Prospect franchise owner Bob Farster. Thanks so much to Natasha Wasinski for the witty piece!

April is ending, and with it, National Autism Awareness month. Before we get swept away in May observances (May happens to observe a wide range of awareness, including National Stroke Awareness Month, National Better Sleep Month, National Women’s Health Month, National Old Age Month and National High Blood Pressure Awareness Month), we wanted to take a moment to say that Pigtails & Crewcuts in Randhurst Village in Mount Prospect welcomes kids of all shapes, sizes, dispositions and needs.

Our staff is hand-selected for their empathy and compassion, and we have experience with children of all demeanors and decibel levels. We work with each child to give him or her the best salon treatment possible. With some children, that means allowing them to select the fire truck or taxi chair they’d like to sit in, along with their favorite book or movie. Other kids would prefer to play with our wooden train table and avoid the chairs altogether. In those cases, we’re happy to follow him or her around and trim hair as the child plays. We also want our customers to know that if your child thrives in a quiet environment, talk with us about it. We can work with your schedule and arrange an appointment during our more quiet hours during the week, or schedule you in before we open, if that works best.

Manager Theresa Lamb says that she and the staff strive to fit in to a kid’s world, rather than the other way around. “We treat any child according to their needs. There are kids that have issues with haircuts, and we understand that. We have a train table for them to play with, movies for them to watch, lollipops to enjoy—whatever it takes. We just try to work with every child in the way that best suits him or her.”

 In other news: Pigtails & Crewcuts Owner Bob Farster launched a new column on Glenview Patch. In his most recent entry he speaks with the father of an autistic child and asks him, point blank, what he wants the public to know about autism.

The official opening of Pigtails & Crewcuts Mount Prospect in Randhurst Village April 5 was, indeed, grand! Mount Prospect Mayor Mayor Irvana K. Wilks visited the salon and proved adroit at ribbon cutting. David Fisher, the Rock ‘N’ Rope Warrior, was the star of the party. This former volleyball player travels the country showing kids how to work the ropes. He was onhand during our grand opening to teach the kids the latest jump rope antics, while demonstrating the rump-jumping moves that earned him the Guinness Book of World Records record: he jumped on his rump 56 times in one minute. Thanks for all of your support, and we hope to see you soon!

Spring is here, but is your wardrobe ready? Pigtails & Crewcuts’ Glenview location is hosting a Kelly’s Kids trunk show for the whole family, Saturday, March 31, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Please visit the Pigtails & Crewcuts Glenview site to learn more.

Pigtails & Crewcuts will be celebrating its grand opening Thursday, April 5 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Mount Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilks will be on hand for the ribbon-cutting celebration (and maybe even a haircut, while those scissors are in hand) at the Randhurst Village kids’ salon in Mount Prospect. Hopping entertainment will follow, as David Fisher, the Rock ‘N’ Rope Warrior, takes the stage and struts his Guinness Book of World Records-holding stuff.

The grand-opening discounts, freebies and celebration will continue through the weekend. The salon, which is currently open, will offer a free shampoo with each haircut, and staff will be available for sassy braids, colorful face painting and more. In addition, Tony Sacco’s Coal Oven Pizza will be handing out coupons for free kids’ pizza.

Here’s the schedule:

Thursday, April 5, 2 p.m.: Mount Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilks will announce the grand opening of Pigtails & Crewcuts during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Thursday, April 5, 3 p.m.: Rock ‘N’ Rope Warrior David Fisher will show you what it takes to get into Guinness Book of World Records using your derrière. Fisher holds the record for “rump jumps,” i.e. jumping rope while landing on his bum. In addition to regular television appearances, the Rock ‘N’ Rope Warrior has also performed for Boris Yeltsin and President Bill Clinton. Plus, he sings!

 Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: A face painter will be on hand for colorful face transformations. Stop in for a new look—it’s a great weekend to look like a certain famous bunny!

Thursday, April 5 – Saturday, April 7: Plus, stop by during normal salon hours (10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, closed Easter Sunday) for adorable braids, an Easter updo, a fantastic trim or just check out the cool chairs and toys the salon has to offer. To celebrate its grand opening, Pigtails & Crewcuts will be handing out coupons to area businesses.

The Mount Prospect Pigtails & Crewcuts is located at 26 Randhurst Village Drive. For an appointment or additional information call 847-506-1800 or go to pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/mt-prospect.

It’s here, it’s finally here! We’re thrilled to announce the March 6 soft opening of the newest Pigtails & Crewcuts, located in Randhurst Village in the Village of Mount Prospect. We’ll be open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., so come in, see our latest digs and get a fantastic haircut for your kids (and yourself).

The new children’s hair salon has something for everyone, with six chairs total, including an airplane, fire truck, taxi and three full-size chairs. We strive to make every visit fun for the kids and relaxing for the parents. We invite you to enjoy our two Play Stations 2, Wii, kids’ movies, countless toys, fabulous green vinyl couches and, of course, our ever-entertaining and talented stylists.

On opening day, Theresa will be at the salon from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and you’ll get to meet our newest stylists, Ramona and Candy (Ramona is in all day and Candy will be here from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.). Ramona has five years of managerial and stylist experience with kids’ hair, and Candy has worked in full-service and family salons for the past five years. In fact, Owner Bob Farster’s son, Louie the “hair heir,” recently got a trim from Candy and the 2 year-old gave her two thumbs up.

Stop in if you have a few minutes to say “hi” and check out the latest location. While you’re here, be sure and visit our great neighbors—shop the sales at Carter’s, enjoy crave-able coal-oven pizza at Tony Sacco’s and fill the car to the brim at Costco.

We’ll keep you posted on our grand opening, which will take place in about a month. We’re still in the planning stages, but we’ll tell you this much: It’s going to be a blast.

Also, we’re buzzing away, as always, at our Pigtails & Crewcuts Glenview location, 2660 Navy Blvd. Call 847.486.0700 for an appointment or stop by today.

The Mount Prospect Pigtails & Crewcuts is located at 26 Randhurst Village Drive. For an appointment or additional information call 847-506-1800.