Once upon a time there was a place called a Barber Shop where people used to meet with one common goal: have their hair or beard cut. Every morning, it opened its doors and heart to the neighbourhood, town or village. Despite its original and main intention, which was to cut hair and smarten up beards, the time waiting inside the shop, conversations with other clients and the voice of the presenter or music on the radio made for a great vibe and camaraderie. Newspapers and magazines about current affairs, sports, cars or the economy kept the boredom at bay. People visited religiously to have their beard shaved once or twice a week, there was constant chatter and mornings were dynamic and energetic. However, as time passed and due to the changes that the barber shop made itself, clients stopped visiting this cosy place that was warm in winter and cool in summer. Other businesses and other types of services appeared: cheap razors and a market saturated with professionals offering services that had always been those of a Barber Shop. It was time to reinvent itself by going back to its roots. So, the Barber Shop put a lot of effort into recovering its old look and gave itself a name that it never showed off. It reopened as the Barber Club or Men’s Club and added services that are now trendy in all barber shops, using them to try and slow down time and recreate that nice leisurely backdrop in the middle of a fast-paced world.
Businesses are constantly looking to reinvent themselves. They want vision, perspective and common sense. With the proliferation of low-cost, unisex salons and hairdressing groups, the barber shop business has experienced a rough patch but it now seems to be recovering despite the endless competition. Even so, it must keep doing everything it can to satisfy the client and ensure they keep coming back.
There are currently a number of ways to appeal to even the most demanding of clients. One of them is to offer Barbepil on the list of services. But there are others that recreate that “man cave” atmosphere. For example, owners could treat new clients to a craft beer or glass of Ribera wine while they wait. How about a shot before they go? Before or after coffee? From the radio to cable TV, at the Barber Club you will not have to miss your favourite team playing while you have your facial hair shaved and a haircut. There are hidden places at the end of mysterious stairs that open onto warm spaces with a mini-bar and table football while you listen to music on the record player, play snooker or PlayStation 4 and bring out your inner child.
There are currently a number of ways to appeal to even the most demanding of clients. One of them is to offer Barbepil on the list of services. But there are others that recreate that “man cave” atmosphere. For example, owners could treat new clients to a craft beer or glass of Ribera wine while they wait. How about a shot before they go? Before or after coffee? From the radio to cable TV, at the Barber Club you will not have to miss your favourite team playing while you have your facial hair shaved and a haircut. There are hidden places at the end of mysterious stairs that open onto warm spaces with a mini-bar and table football while you listen to music on the record player, play snooker or PlayStation 4 and bring out your inner child.
All this contributes to creating a perfect environment and restores some elements of the barber shops of yesteryear, where neighbours met at random, where they gave gifts and presents to their barber and where barbers were a fundamental part of society: cherished and valued by all, loved and respected by so many.
Iconic movie beards
