Connecticut Journal Inquirer — March 13, 2009
 
Six Flags Getting into the Kids’ Hair

 
By Howard French
 
For those who have trouble persuading their kids to get a haircut, New York-based Six Flags Inc. may have an option. Widely known for its a primary role as the operator of regional theme parks — including Six Flags New England in Agawam, Mass. — the company is branching out.
 
On Saturday, Six Flags is marking the grand opening in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square of the prototype of what it intends to become a national chain of “Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts,” — something the company describes as a “children’s boutique and hair salon offering a multi-sensory haircutting experience for kids of all ages.” Rollercoaster Cuts “will revolutionize the ordinary task of getting a haircut,” according to a statement from Mike Antinoro, executive vice president for entertainment and marketing at Six Flags .
 
“What can sometimes be a dreaded, yet necessary obligation for kids, turns into an environment of fun, thrills, and excitement,” Antinoro said. Also in the grand opening statement, Andrew Schleimer, executive vice president for strategic development, called the new kids hair salon an opportunity “to inject Six Flags into the everyday lives of children,” at the same time pursuing new growth opportunities for the company. Once inside the boutique, “guests will be immersed in an interactive, roller coaster spinning, Six Flags theme park experience,” Schleimer said. “Each themed cutting station will feature custom-built coaster cars equipped with a flat screen television, on which children watch videos of Six Flags’ rides and attractions, programs from Six Flags TV, and what Schleimer called “kid-friendly video games.”
 
While getting a shampoo, kids will have the option to sit up in a traditional chair or lie on their backs watching “point-of-view camera angles of Six Flags’ biggest coaster drops,” he said. Six Flags’ cast of mascot characters also will be greeting customers who will receive a free photo along with a haircut, according to Schleimer.
 
For more information on Rollercoaster Cuts go to www.rollercoastercuts.com
 
The West Hartford Rollercoaster Cuts, which had a preview event on Thursday, is located at 107 Memorial Road. Six Flags bills itself as the world’s largest regional theme park company with 20 parks in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, with plans for expansion beyond North America with new parks in Dubai and Qatar.