Goldiloxx, a new queer and family-owned hair salon, has opened its doors in the heart of Brookfield.
The salon with gold and white decor is the brainchild of two cousins, Cynthia Citro and Giovanna Schaffrath, who share a passion for hair and a vision for inclusivity.
Berwyn location is Goldiloxx’s second life. Citro, a Berwyn native, has been immersed in the hairstyling industry since 2016 when she owned a salon with the same name in her hometown.
Schaffrath, Oak Park native, who has been doing hair and special effects makeup for 10 years, worked in her salon for a year.
The two worked together harmoniously, their professional relationship strengthening over time.
It was during this period that they discovered they were related through a conversation with Schaffrath’s grandmother, a revelation that added a new dimension to their partnership.
“I’m Italian and we’re all related in some way shape or form,” Schaffrath said. “She does remind me a lot of my family with the way that she carries herself, she’s a strong, badass woman – of course we’re related.”
In 2018, Citro faced a significant personal challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The diagnosis, coupled with the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown, led to the closure of the salon last February.
Despite these setbacks, Citro remained resilient. After her cancer went into remission, she freelanced for a while.
Throughout, Citro and Schaffrath knew they could achieve together.
They envisioned a salon that would not only offer hairstyling services but also foster a sense of acceptance.
With this in mind, they embarked on a search for the perfect location, which they found in Brookfield.
“Growing up, I always liked Brookfield,” Citro said. “I started investigating Brookfield and went to the village hall. I’m a woman business owner and was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the people in the chamber and at city hall were women. That made us really happy and extremely comfortable.”
Citro said that the chamber of commerce made the process easy and straightforward for them.
Citro and Schaffrath felt welcomed and supported, not just by the chamber of commerce, but also by the Brookfield community and businesses.
Schaffrath echoed Citro’s sentiments, saying, “For our grand opening, people were stopping by all day, it really felt like people in Brookfield care about the businesses.”
The choice for the location was further solidified by the significant number of women business owners in the area, which resonated with the duo’s vision for their salon.
Citro decided to keep the name of the old salon. The name Goldiloxx was inspired during a six-hour tattoo session Citro had with a friend who is a tattoo artist.
The artist mentioned Goldilocks, and Citro loved it but decided to put her own spin on it.
“I wanted to cater to something that we all grew up familiar with like Goldilocks and the three bears, but I am a little different and a little edgier, so I wanted to do a spin on it,” she said. “When I thought about marquee letters [sign], it was a win-win situation.”
The dynamic between Citro and Schaffrath is a blend of contrasting yet complementary energies.
“Cynthia is a firecracker, I love her to death, she keeps me on my toes,” Schaffrath said. “I’m her angel on her shoulder, and she’s my devil on my shoulder.”
This energy is evident in their work as well. Citro specializes in extensions, while Schaffrath prefers alternative cuts and bold hair colors.
Goldiloxx prides itself on being a safe space and a judgment-free zone. The salon also has a gender-neutral bathroom. During phone consultations with clients, Schaffrath said she always makes sure to respect people’s identity and keep their goals in mind.
“I do everything on the client’s terms when they come in. I make sure it’s a judgment- free zone,” Schaffrath said.
Both cousins said they are excited to be part of the Brookfield community and are looking forward to their journey.
Goldiloxx is an appointment-only salon and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at 9152 Broadway Ave.
