CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A local businessman says it's hard for men to get spa treatment in Charleston without the embarrassment of sitting in girly shops or mall nail salons.
That's why Scott Spencer is opening Top's Off Barbershop, the first spa and salon aimed at Charleston's male population.
Spencer said the shop, located at 229 Hale St., features manicures and pedicures, a shoeshine service, stylists dressed as pinup models and complimentary alcohol.
All types of haircuts will be offered, ranging from straight-razor shaves to detailed styling and dye jobs. Male barbers will be decked out crooner-style, with wingtip shoes and bowling shirts, he said.
"I wanted to create a place for men so that they don't have to do a walk of shame from a salon or sit at a nail place with women in the mall," Spencer said. "Here they can take care of their feet, their hands, their hair and their body for their wives or girlfriends."
He said he wanted the shop to have a high-end and retro look that is a throwback to a time when Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra were the top celebrities.
Deep red lighting fixtures, jutting glass chandeliers and black and white leather chairs are pieces Spencer said he collected for decor when he began renovating the space in May.
He said the shop's name came from the idea that everything in the salon is "top-notch" and the retro styling was "over the top." Some misconceptions have arisen from the name because many people believed the shop would have topless hairstylists, he said.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A local businessman says it's hard for men to get spa treatment in Charleston without the embarrassment of sitting in girly shops or mall nail salons.
That's why Scott Spencer is opening Top's Off Barbershop, the first spa and salon aimed at Charleston's male population.
Spencer said the shop, located at 229 Hale St., features manicures and pedicures, a shoeshine service, stylists dressed as pinup models and complimentary alcohol.
All types of haircuts will be offered, ranging from straight-razor shaves to detailed styling and dye jobs. Male barbers will be decked out crooner-style, with wingtip shoes and bowling shirts, he said.
"I wanted to create a place for men so that they don't have to do a walk of shame from a salon or sit at a nail place with women in the mall," Spencer said. "Here they can take care of their feet, their hands, their hair and their body for their wives or girlfriends."
He said he wanted the shop to have a high-end and retro look that is a throwback to a time when Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra were the top celebrities.
Deep red lighting fixtures, jutting glass chandeliers and black and white leather chairs are pieces Spencer said he collected for decor when he began renovating the space in May.
He said the shop's name came from the idea that everything in the salon is "top-notch" and the retro styling was "over the top." Some misconceptions have arisen from the name because many people believed the shop would have topless hairstylists, he said.
"I live on the edge a little bit and I knew people would question the name," he said. "It will be a classy place. We are not topless."
When it comes to dressing like a pinup model, Seraphine Jorge, the shop's receptionist, who was wearing a red leather skirt and a red flower in her hair on a recent day, said it is something that she enjoys.
"These are all my own everyday clothes," Jorge said.
Heather Forren, one of the shop's hairstylists, said she isn't worried that people might think it's a topless establishment.
"Maybe it will bring some curious people in," she said.
Spencer said while his shop is aimed at men, he doesn't want women to feel left out. Female customers can have their hair done by a stylist and enjoy complimentary alcohol and food.
On the last Friday of every month, Spencer is planning to make the shop women-only. For about $100, women can don pinup style dresses provided to them and have their photos taken by photographer Candace Mullins from Atomic Cupcake Studios. The photos would be gifts for their husbands or boyfriends, he said.
The shop will have a grand opening on Aug. 23. Prices start at $7 for men's haircuts and feature packaged options that include massages.
Reach Travis Crum at travis.c...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5100.
