Elmwood Avenue will soon be home to a fresh barbering and salon concept. Actually, the concept is not exactly new, as salon owner Rich Casey is simply bringing back the lost art of barbering.
Rust Belt Barbering and Salon will service both men and women, and is intent on delivering an experience that sets the barber-salon apart from many of the other “quick fix” shops in the area. Come to think of it, Rust Belt Barbering and Salon is one of the only places around that is primarily a barber shop, yet still offers up a quality experience for the ladies. “My wife Rachel is the main stylist,” Rich told me. “The ladies will have all of the services that other salons offer (cuts, styles, color, blow outs). I think that what makes us different is that we offer the same sort of attention to the guys, who can come in and get a hair cut and a hot towel straight razor shave. That’s a lost art that we want to bring back.”
To get an idea about what sort of place this will be, Rich told me that he is waiting upon the arrival of six original Emil J Paidar barber chairs. The chairs are currently being refurbished in Texas, and will look killer, set against the dark vinyl wood flooring and hand built fixtures and mirrors. “We’re excited to be a part of the Elmwood community,” Rich said. “We’re looking for creative ways to stand out and feel that we will mesh well with the rest of the unique businesses on the street. We want to bring back the social aspect of barbering – we want to be a place where people can come and hang out and leave feeling good about themselves.”
Aside from the retro chairs and the slick logo, Rich told me that he has a few other tricks up his sleeves that he is in the process of working on. Along from hiring some of the best “artists” to work the shop, Rich feels that there are plenty of other ways to create a name in the industry. “The art of barbering is making a comeback,” he explained. “We’re looking at different ways to make getting a hair cut more of an experience, even if that means that we host groomsmen parties where guys can get together before the wedding to get a fresh style, beard trim and a shave.”
For all of the ladies out there, who want to hook up their fellas with a fresh cut and style, here’s a place that you can go with your man that will have you both feeling good while you’re there and looking good when you leave.
Rust Belt Barbering and Salon | 448 Elmwood Avenue | Buffalo NY | Facebook | WiFi hotspot