Kiehl's Opens First Connecticut Store at Westfarms

Written by Jessie Sawyer

A national skincare business with a celebrity following has opened its first Connecticut store at the Westfarms Mall.

Kiehl's Since 1851 held its grand opening on May 17. The new location is the 52nd Kiehl's store nationwide.

"We're super excited to be here," Farmington Store Manager Tim Schaefer said.
The company originated in New York 162 years ago as Brunswick Apothecary. In 1865, John Kiehl purchased it and changed the name.

Kiehl's President Chris Salgardo, who addressed the shoppers and cut the ribbon at the opening, said that science is the foundation of the business.

"We want them to do what they say and say what they do," he said.

He stumbled upon Kiehl's in California and has been using the products for 23 years. Salgardo has now worked for the company for 13 years, the last seven as president.

Kiehl's is a "word-of-mouth business" that doesn't advertise or have outer packaging other than what's required on their product containers because the company doesn't want the consumer to have to pay more to cover that expense.

People usually find out about Kiehl's after hearing about it from someone else. Many celebrities use Kiehl's products, including but not limited to Brad Pitt, Jeff Kunze, Tom Hanks, Oprah, Julianne Moore, Sandra Bullock, Zachary Quinto and Alanis Morrisette.

"It's more like who is isn't," Salgardo said.

But Salgardo said that customers care more about the products themselves than their celebrity appeal.

Well trained customer care specialists are available in-store to offer consultations on which skin product will work the best to meet the customers' individual needs. Many also come just to browse. Salgardo said that the store also has a 28-day money back guarantee if customers are not satisfied.

Even before the Farmington opening people in Connecticut knew of Kiehl's, many going to Manhattan to buy the skincare products, he said.

"The savvy Connecticut beauty junkies, whether they are male or female, love Kiel's," Salgardo said, noting that the company makes products specialized for both men's and women's skin.

West Hartford Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor, Farmington Town Councilman C.J. Thomas, and Farmington Economic Development Director Courtney Hendricson attended the ribbon-cutting and welcomed the business.

Customers were given free samples of Kiehl's moisturizers to take home. Staff spoke to store visitors like Lorraine Vogelhut, of West Hartford, about the products and applied more sample products to their skin.

Philanthropy is also an integral part of Kiehl's. For May and June, 1 percent of the proceeds will benefit The Hartford Stage, which has a lot of theater programming for kids and teens. Kiehl's also plans on supporting many other local organizations and charities in the future.

Kiehl's is located at 509 Westfarms Mall, suite C231, Farmington, CT 06032. For more information, customers can call the store at 860-521-3318.