Ron Salzano, A Gifted Barber and Mariemont Staple

By Suzy Weinland

If you’re a guy who has lived in Mariemont for a while, chances are you've met Ron Salzano, owner of Mariemont Barber Shop. Ron has been grooming generations of dads, sons, wedding parties, CEOs and celebritites here for 48 years.

Ron grew up in Coreyville after coming to America with his family from Italy in 1958. In 1965, he wanted to go to California with friends – like all free-spirited youth in the ‘60s - but his mom talked him out of it. A close friend, Ralph Green, convinced him to go to barber school and said they could both be barbers and make a fortune.

Ron became proprietor owner of Mariemont Barber Shop beside the Mariemont Inn, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Through the years, Ron has had the privilege of cutting and grooming - and in some cases still does – local celebs and leaders including musician Peter Frampton (who lived in Indian Hill until around 2012), Senator Rob Portman (who still comes in), FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan, Sam LeCure (Reds pitcher, 2010-2015 and current “Reds Live” analyst and co-host), and Boomer Esiason (Bengals quarterback for 10 non-consecutive seasons).

When asked what his favorite style was to cut, he quickly responded, “The pompadour!” And the oddest? “The mullet with a perm, and a cut with shaved lines in the side of the head.” (Author sidenote: I remember my mom taking my sister and I definitely not a favorite of mine!)

Drew Fiorenza, of Terrace Park, was in the shop on the day I interviewed Ron. He was having his hair cut by Ron’s son Tim – one of five children - who has been a barber there for 10 years. Fiorenza has been coming to Mariemont Barber Shop for 10 years and said he "loves the great haircuts and banter."

Ron shared that he has three customers who all have been coming to him for 55 years: Ken Gergen, Paul Aiman, and Steve Pohfyer.

In December 2022, Ron was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a progressing neurological disease that leads to loss of voluntary muscle control and movement. Despite his diagnosis, Ron has remained positive. The disease has primarily started to affect his speech. But even as we talk, he continues to smile.

While the average life expectancy of someone with ALS is 2-5 years, Ron is continuing to live life to the fullest. Ron continues to enjoy UC Bearcat games with his best friends from high school in the fall. He used to enjoy soccer, and now plays golf. His favorite place to go in Mariemont is Graeters for donuts on Saturdays. He also reminisces about frequenting the Village Kitchen years ago when it was on the Square.

This summer, Ron is forming a team to walk in the Walk to Defeat ALS at Winton Woods on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. He invites all who would like to walk - individually or as a team – or donate to his team, to visit https://alsohio.org/2023walktodefeatals/ , scroll to Cincinnati Walk and click on “Learn More.” There you can register, find a walker or team to donate to, or contact the Southern Ohio Chapter with questions. As of print time, Ron had not yet formed his team, so check the website this summer, or stop into Mariemont Barbershop and talk to Ron in person to find out more!

And since medical bills can be strenuous on someone with ALS as well as their family, one of Ron’s longtime customers and friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, has set up a charitable fund at PNC for anyone who would like to donate to help Ron with expenses. Donations can be made either by scanning the QR code below to donate online, or by mailing or making a personal visit to PNC Bank at 7423 Wooster Pike, Cinti., OH 45227. Let them know you’d like to make a donation to the “Ron Salzano Fund.” PNC accepts all major credit cards, including American Express.

Ron would like to thank everybody for coming in over the years, including multiple generations of families. “It’s been a fun career, and I’ve met a lot of nice people. I’ve learned a lot from my customers.”