Barber Shop seating . . .

**Tock** · 03-10-2004, 05:45 AM

I'd like y'alls opinion on how you prefer the seating arrangement in a barber shop . . .

About half of 'em have the barber chairs lined up along one wall with the waiting chairs (for customers) directly opposite. The rest have a seperate waiting area in the front of the shop with the chairs in a seperate section.

It appears that some folks prefer a seperate waiting area, because it gives the place a more professional feel, like the waiting area in a doctor's office.
Others prefer the chairs closer to the barbers so they can join in the conversation.

What do y'all think?

10,000 Texas-sized thanks,
--Tock

**LilVito469** · 03-10-2004, 05:57 AM

bro my barber shop is soooo small and yet sooo many people go there... i mean literally when i go for a haircut its so packed u gotta wait for 3 hours and theres no appointments!! but all he does is have a few benches outside a long bench goin across to the left side if ur facing the wall from the entrance and he has 3 chairs set up to the right and its just one big conversation goin the whole time...he also has 2 tv's on each corner near the barbers s ide and of course he got the system cuz one of the barbers that fades me up is a rapper so of course they have music mupmin some times...hope that helps in some way...

**mass junkie** · 03-10-2004, 08:12 AM

I spend alot of time at my barber shop...........its a pretty cool set up....they always have a new movie up on the big screen for the people waiting....or you can go sit in the back and play playstation or just talk smack in the back with all the other barbers.............but I go to them since they do such tight Fades.............your a barber arent ya Tock? I love being able to sit up close and talk smack with the barbers but Ive been going their for years......I imagine the newbie would like to be seperated from everyone else....so why dont you do a lil of both?

**spywizard** · 03-10-2004, 08:17 AM

Hey Tock.......

depends on the clients.....

my current barber..... 2 chairs........ and seats....... old school style... porn for the viewing.. no women ever go in there... both barbers know your name, and greet you when you come in... and they do that after 1 visit............ that's what has me going back all the time.............

however... i used to live in a more urban environment... they opened a mens salon...

had a pool table in the front window.. guys would play, and still be able to talk to the barbers... front waiting area also..

Very upscale.. $75 cuts.... manicure, waxing... etc...

so depends on the clients that you will be servicing..

**Red Ketchup** · 03-10-2004, 08:50 AM

Why not a bit of both?

Have a waiting area in front extending into where the first 1 or 2 chairs are, and the next 2 chairs (assuming a 4 chair setup) are a bit more towards the back.

Keeps everyone (or nobody!) happy

Red

**Animal Cracker** · 03-10-2004, 09:06 AM

Military barber...#1 on the sides and the back, #3 on the top. $4.75

**Mart651** · 03-10-2004, 09:09 AM

I like a barnber shop to be a little old school. Being a barber is not the same as a beauty\hair cutting place.
The only complaint I ever had at barbers was the fact that the places were so small. So maybe a big barber shop would be the ticket. That way as the others suggested you could do a little of both.

**chicamahomico** · 03-10-2004, 09:17 AM

Old school all te way. No fancy crap or offerings other than a cut or shave, added junk just makes the cost go up and the convienence go down IMO. Barbers are about being able to drop in, wait maybe 5-10 mins and get a cut and a shave, then get the f**k out a there.

**Tock** · 03-10-2004, 06:52 PM

I'm looking at a 5 seat shop with possible expansion space in the future, waiting chairs in front of the barbers . . . I could put in a 10 x 15 room for a couple poker tables (or something) and a few vending machines (drinks & snax), and let card players sign up to play poker (I know a bunch of guys who play whist and bridge), the idea being that card players in the shop every night would add to the word of mouth advertising, add to the shop's 'atmosphere,' and I figure if they buy $15 of stuff from the vending machines, it would pay for rent on that part of the floor space.
. . . . anyway, that's what I've got in mind . . . a sort of friendly joint, yah.

On the other hand, some guys prefer going to shops where they take you into a 10' x 10' cubicle, and you get your haircut in private, your choice of music, whatever. I couldn't see myself cooped up in room that small all day long, so that sort of place isn't in the running . . .
On another hand, some guys prefer not to be seated in front of barbers (I don't know why, it just is) and prefer seating in a waiting area out front. I have to pick one format or the other, and personally lean toward having clients sit in front of the barbers (always seemed to work in shops I've worked in), but figured I'd poll the collective wisdom of the Omniscients on this board . . .

What about TV?
Personally, I prefer light jazz in the background, lively conversation in the foreground. TV, with its loud commercials & etc, irritate the blank out of me, especially if it runs all day long. But what do y'all think? Good idea or no? I guess I could put one in the poker room . . .

10,000 Texas-Sized thanks,
--Tock

**Red Ketchup** · 03-10-2004, 07:10 PM

Well, I'd say no TV, or if there is one, it would have to be a small one with NO SOUND pointing at the waiting room. I love having light jazz in the background... not loud enough to really make out what you're hearing but enough to keep an atmosphere.

Atmosphere is everything...

Red

**IronCy** · 03-10-2004, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by mass junkie

I spend alot of time at my barber shop...........its a pretty cool set up....they always have a new movie up on the big screen for the people waiting....or you can go sit in the back and play playstation or just talk smack in the back with all the other barbers.............but I go to them since they do such tight Fades.............your a barber arent ya Tock? I love being able to sit up close and talk smack with the barbers but Ive been going their for years......I imagine the newbie would like to be seperated from everyone else....so why dont you do a lil of both?

**** that place seems pretty pimped out...my barbershop is a shack, but its the only place that the will use a straight razor on your fade....having to wait 2 hours on my barber b/c he is so popular is not though!
-Cy

**Tock** · 03-11-2004, 08:29 PM

As far as background music goes . . .
Here's the website for XM radio
http://www.xmradio.com/programming/f...el_listing.jsp (click on "Sample" to the right)
what would be your first, second, third choices as far as a channel goes?
I kinda like
"Bluesville" (Channel 74)
"Early Rock & Roll" (Channel 5)
"Traditional Jazz" (Channel 70)

What dy'all think?
-Tock

**LilVito469** · 03-11-2004, 08:34 PM

well as for music mostly thugish types go to my barber.. so for music its either rap or BET on tv.... or if not sportscenter is always playing

**BDTR** · 03-11-2004, 08:37 PM

Me too... only mines free... girlfriend.

Originally Posted by BamaSlamma

Military barber...#1 on the sides and the back, #3 on the top. $4.75

**LilVito469** · 03-11-2004, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by bdtr

Me too... only mines free... girlfriend.

hey we live close together...if your girl wants to practice fades she's free to do so.

**redrock** · 03-11-2004, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by BamaSlamma

Military barber...#1 on the sides and the back, #3 on the top. $4.75

I'll do you one better.

Clippers with no guard all the way around. Shave it myself once a week. Pair of $50.00 quality clippers pay for themselves in roughly 3 months. REDROCK