It?s much more than just a haircut.
Thanks to customers looking for something more than a trim, upscale and traditional barbershops are experiencing a renaissance in the Baltimore region.
In 2005, Craig Martin opened The Quinntessential Gentleman in downtown Baltimore, where he offers his affluent crowd a variety of services from a shave to a massage to a high-end cigar.
Keeping both quality and his customers first is what Martin says makes him successful.
“I want the haircut or shave to be something you can show off that day, like buying a new shirt,” Martin, 35 said. “It?s easy to spend only a little money and ?turn and burn? [getting people through the chair as quickly as possible], but if you charge a little more and take a bit longer, you can give the best possible service.”
Amid aromas of classic cologne and shaving cream, customers can have a drink, shoot pool or watch television. For Miles Cary, the chance to come in, take his time and get quality service brings him to Martin again and again.
“I would never go to a barbershop where you are in and out in 10 minutes,” the 39-year-old investment banker said.
Martin has been so successful, in fact, he?s even won over the opposite sex.
“I expected to have women picketing outside, but they love it,” Martin said with a laugh. “They send their husbands in for anniversaries, Father?s Day, things like that.”
The barbershop is a business strongly rooted in tradition.
In Columbia, a traditional barbershop with its own sense of history has been doing just fine for 42 years. Featuring a rack of antique shaving mugs, turn-of-the-century chairs and wooden benches, Anthony Richard barbershop is a blast from the past.
“I think the young people enjoy it,” owner Tony Tringali said.
Justin Scruggs, 28, of Columbia agreed.
“It?s the best haircut in town,” he said.
Tringali serves faithful customer of all ages.
“They make me look good,” said patron David Jaskulsky, 55, of Columbia.
Elysha Krupp contributed to this story.
