Spurred by his own experience, business man opens salon geared towards pampering men
By Jonathan E. Coleman
[email protected]
Despite his well-groomed hair and clean-shaven appearance, there’s nothing “pretty” about Shane Parsnow. He is, by all accounts, a man’s man.
The 37-year-old is a native of Oswego, N.Y., but moved to the Charlotte area to follow his passion for NASCAR and the racing industry. He’s worked for Hendrick Motorsports for nearly 12 years.
| If you go: What: Men’s Room Barber Crew grand opening When: Saturday, Dec. 8 beginning at 8 a.m. Details: Grand opening will include race cars and a jet boat on display, and hot dogs and other “guy food” for visitors to enjoy. |
Over the years, he’s seen a growing trend with more and more men looking for a place to pamper themselves without all the frills of a women’s salon.
From that realization came the area’s first Men’s Room Barber Crew.
“This business is changing,” Parsnow said. “The man is coming into it more and more. I’ve gone to a women’s salon to get my hair cut for eight years. I feel like it’s not my place.
“This is a $35 billion a year industry — the salon industry — and this is the fastest growing segment of it.”
All one has to do is walk in the doors of the newly-opened men’s salon to understand the type of clientele the Parsnow is looking to reach. The Men’s Room is located just north of Speedway Boulevard on U.S. 29 near the intersection of Pitts School Road.
Warm colors complement the dark brown leather barber chairs at each work station, which is equipped with its own flat screen television. A large leather couch anchors the waiting area and Sports Illustrated, Best Life and Men’s Health magazines are on hand.
Clients can enjoy a cold beverage and take in their favorite show while getting a hair cut, a manicure or hot towel shave, Parsnow said. It’s a place for men to feel comfortable being themselves.
“Guys need a place where they can go and talk about the race, talk about sports and guy stuff,” he said.
But increasingly more men want that place to offer quality service that’s missing at many of the larger chain barbershops, which offer low prices, but make up for that by hurrying through clients, Parsnow said.
“Our focus is on the customer,” he said. “We’re not here to do a haircut in 12 minutes. We’re here to meet the expectations of the gentleman who’s had a hard day at work and wants to calm down and relax while getting a good cut.”
While it is the first in the area, Parsnow’s Men’s Room Barber Crew isn’t the first salon of its kind. In fact, the Men’s Room is a family business that was started in New York in 2002.
To that end, the Men’s Room will host a family-friendly grand opening celebration on Saturday, Dec. 8 beginning at 8 a.m. Staying true to the masculine theme of the shop, the grand opening will include race cars and a jet boat on display, and hot dogs and other “guy food” for visitors to enjoy.
The Men’s Room is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Contact Jonathan E. Coleman at [email protected] or 704-789-9105.