Must for mens' club/barbershop

[OldSaw]

Just in case I posted the original thread in the wrong place, (The Barbershop) I am posting here as well. If this is against protocol, Moderator, please let me know. Thanks

I've got this empty commercial unit in a great location and a stepdaughter who wants to start her own business. I'm thinking it would be the perfect place for a mens' club/barber shop.

So what must a barber shop have?

My thoughts so far:

Pool table or foosball table
Dart board
Several TVs or one big screen
Comfy overstuffed chairs, NO couch
Humidor and smoking room, (no cigarettes)
Clipper cuts that are fast and low priced
Premium cuts, (scissors, straight razor, wash), reasonably priced
Free neck trims between premium cuts
Scalp massage
Shave & hair products
Membership program, (kind of like The 316 Club in Chicago)
Mens' magazines
Walk ins, (guys don't make appointments)
Energy drinks, etc. (no alcohol)
Evening and Saturday hours

I'd like to create an atmosphere that guys want to hang out in. You knock off from work and you know you need a haircut, but you hate going to the girlie salon, so you head over to the club, walk in grab a number and a magazine or maybe shoot some pool or catch up on the sports news on TV, when your number is called you get your specialized service and then maybe grab a cigar to smoke now or later on at home.

One thing I really hate after a cut is the prickly hairs that get into my shirt collar that pick the rest of the day until I get into the shower. I would like to have an area where you can take your shirt off and put on a shave garment that breathes. then after the cut the barber will lean you back into a hair wash sink and wash your head and shoulders to completely eliminate the prickly hair syndrome. Then you can put your shirt on and comfortably relax in the smoking room with a fine cigar or pipe and unwind before heading home.

I'm in the greater Green Bay, WI area. Population is about 200,000 for the county. As far as I know the closest place like this is in Appleton about 30 miles away.

Must cover minimum monthly expenses of:
Rent $1000
Utilities $300-400

Flexible and yet to be determined expenses:
Advertising
Wages/Commissions
Licensing
Build-out
Sign
Accounting
Inventory
Equipment
Furniture

What do you guys think. If you could get a quick cut for $12 and a premium cut for about $20 would you want to go to a place like this? How much would you pay for a shave? What kind of membership fee makes good sense? You business guys, could prices like this float the boat? Of course there will be product sales as well.

This is purely speculative at this point and depends entirely on someone else, (i.e. stepdaughter), to run and maintain the day to day business. I only want to front the operation not run it.

 

[Juaquin]

I'm in the greater Green Bay, WI area. Population is about 200,000 for the county.

Dang, I was starting to get excited. But it sounds like a great plan. Hope it comes together.

 

[Doc4]

My impression is that you want a "barbershop plus", rather than a "club with barber" (in that the focus is on the barbering, with other manly diversions for pre and post shave.) So I'm thinking that your D-in-L should have some knowledge about men's grooming at a minumum, and hopefully be a trained barber herself. If she's not a barber, then she has to hire someone else to do the main work (leaving her thumbs free for twiddling), and if she doesn't know men's grooming, she won't know if the barber(s) in her employ are doing things properly or not.

So step one is getting some honest feedback from the DinL about what sort of business she wants to run. It may be the greatest idea in the world, but if she's not in love with it, she won't be happy running it and it won't flourish.

But I DO like the idea, esp the garment-changing (be sure to have free lockers that lock). May I suggest stocking a selection of colognes for after-cut changing, and a selection of aftershaves for those who get a shave?

 

[OldSaw]

My impression is that you want a "barbershop plus", rather than a "club with barber" (in that the focus is on the barbering, with other manly diversions for pre and post shave.) So I'm thinking that your D-in-L should have some knowledge about men's grooming at a minumum, and hopefully be a trained barber herself. If she's not a barber, then she has to hire someone else to do the main work (leaving her thumbs free for twiddling), and if she doesn't know men's grooming, she won't know if the barber(s) in her employ are doing things properly or not.

So step one is getting some honest feedback from the DinL about what sort of business she wants to run. It may be the greatest idea in the world, but if she's not in love with it, she won't be happy running it and it won't flourish.

But I DO like the idea, esp the garment-changing (be sure to have free lockers that lock). May I suggest stocking a selection of colognes for after-cut changing, and a selection of aftershaves for those who get a shave?

You are right. She will definitely have to love the business. If she doesn't I will not put any of my life savings into it. However, if she develops a flair for running business I also have a shop that could be used for auto detailing sometime down the road. Now this would really be a man's world. Drop off the car for a Simonize, get a shave & haircut, then have a cigar while getting a shoe shine.

I would enjoy hanging out at a place like this but someone who loves it would have to run it. So far it is just my idea of what I see coming down the pike in mens' grooming. This thread is more of a sticking a toe in the water to see if it even resembles something doable. I would obviously have to do a lot more research if she digs the idea.

Thanks for the reply and the thumbs up on the garment changing. My wife didn't think this was that big of a deal but it is for me. BTW the layout is already set up pretty good with 1200 square feet and about 2/3 of that is open which would be the main area. The smoking room is by the 3rd exit and completely separate for ventilation purposes. The changing room is right next to the bathroom.

 

[Doug]

[QUOTE
One thing I really hate after a cut is the prickly hairs that get into my shirt collar that pick the rest of the day until I get into the shower. I would like to have an area where you can take your shirt off and put on a shave garment that breathes. then after the cut the barber will lean you back into a hair wash sink and wash your head and shoulders to completely eliminate the prickly hair syndrome. Then you can put your shirt on and comfortably relax in the smoking room with a fine cigar or pipe and unwind before heading home.
[/QUOTE]

Every Navy barber I have been to has a vacuum system that removes the clippings as they are cut. Such a system would negate the need for extra garments, lockers and laundry. Good luck! Ihope your idea catches on.

 

[DMS]

The pool table and dartboard wouldn't be very important to me, the general atmosphere of what you describe sounds great.

I think you're right on with price. My regular haircuts down here don't get much scissor work, no shampoo, are done in 5-10 minutes, and cost $15 before tip. As far as a shave goes, I doubt I'd be willing to pay more than $10.

 

[rikrdo]

I wanna move to Green Bay !!
This is a terrific idea.....I'd havta agree about the d-in-l loving the idea, tho.
If it gets some mileage, maybe take it easy at the beginning.
Quality cuts, shaves and maybe a smoking lounge for starters?? and then grow it.
Not to be a downer but I've seen 1st hand what can happen to you if you go too fast too quickly.....
Good luck. This sounds incredible to me.

 

[Hawkeye5]

Love the idea
While I love to play, pool and snooker tables take lots of room, and while you don't say if they will be free or a charge per rack, it takes lots of racks to pay the rent on the space necessary.
Maybe a cribbage table instead? Monthly cribbage tournaments?

 

[Dennis]

I think I would hold off on the pool table. Set the atmosphere first, see how the clients respond and then add based on their feedback. I could definitely see a nice humidor with cigar sales, a nice place to sit and wait (probably leather), some good magazines, a nice widescreen tuned to ESPN, etc... I probably would not want to change out of my shirt - a vacuum system instead as mentioned. Otherwise, I salute you and your plans and wish you the best of luck!

Dennis

 

[analog_kid]

Sounds like an idea to me! I'm a few hours drive away. Count me in for a once a month visit!

 

[htownmmm]

Other than you opening in Maryland(can we say franchise?), it sounds great. it would definitely be a place I would frequent 2-3 times per week. Not to sure about the pool table, but it is something to do while waiting.


Marty

 

[Doc4]

So far it is just my idea of what I see coming down the pike in mens' grooming. This thread is more of a sticking a toe in the water to see if it even resembles something doable. I would obviously have to do a lot more research if she digs the idea.

Thanks for the reply and the thumbs up on the garment changing. My wife didn't think this was that big of a deal but it is for me.

Do-able means profitable ... there's a lot of number crunching to figure that one out ... but would I rather sit in a comfy leather chair and read a magasine or watch the game on TV, rather than sit in one of the $1.99 chairs lined up opposite the barber's chair and watch him cut someone else's hair? Hmm ... let me think about that

As for the vacuum cleaner approach to hair bits, I've had a few babers use those & they don't work IMHO, YMMV. I'd still prefer to change into a sanitary bib.

The billiards table may not be an effective use of space, but chess & cards would be good. Or have internet terminals for surfing or checking your B&B PMs.

 

[Lynchmeister]

Sounds like an idea to me! I'm a few hours drive away. Count me in for a once a month visit!

+1 and add on an hour or two. I'm in River Falls.

 

[mantic]

I'm in the greater Green Bay, WI area. Population is about 200,000 for the county. As far as I know the closest place like this is in Appleton about 30 miles away.

Large sign in front of shop: "Free shaves for Brett Favre!" That boy needs to learn how to shave, or get a decent shave anyway.

--Mark
(ex-Wisconsite)

 

[BD1970]

Large sign in front of shop: "Free shaves for Brett Favre!" That boy needs to learn how to shave, or get a decent shave anyway.

--Mark
(ex-Wisconsite)

+1

 

[OldSaw]

As for the vacuum cleaner approach to hair bits, I've had a few babers use those & they don't work IMHO, YMMV. I'd still prefer to change into a sanitary bib.

The billiards table may not be an effective use of space, but chess & cards would be good. Or have internet terminals for surfing or checking your B&B PMs.

I agree about the vacuum thing. It only works until you move and the clippings that are still in your hair fall into your collar.

Sounds like the pool table may be a bit much.

Thanks,

 

[OldSaw]

So my wife calls me today and says the neighbor from the auto body shop/car lot next door wants to talk to me. Get this, he wants to put an auto detailing business in my vacant shop, (refer to post #4 above).

Could it be a dream come true? Now we just need to fill the middle unit with massage therapists and it will be a little piece of paradise.

 

[Frankenface]

This whole idea sounds great. Keep your original plan of including the darts and pool table. Just position the table so the a wild cue ball break doesn't end up hitting the barber doing the straight razor shaves! I think this would be perfect if you could get a place near the Onieda casino!
Good Luck,
Fred

 

[Panamag8or]

My dream is to take the building my grandfather owned in downtown Gainesville, FL, and turn it into a "Man Mall". Barber shop, cigar store, shaving gear store, haberdashery and a clothing store with a tailor, to start with. The building was built as a Sears in the '30's, so it has the space. The population downtown is growing, with new apartments going up around the area, filled with affluent types.

One day, maybe....[/daydream]

 

[mantic]

Could it be a dream come true? Now we just need to fill the middle unit with massage therapists and it will be a little piece of paradise.

Or a Hooters franchise.

--Mark