Pampering the old-fashioned way

One of the only places in life men have drawn the short stick — the salon. While women finish a haircut with a bouncy blow-dry, men walk out with itch-inducing hairs in their collar. It's an experience local business owners Greg Ballmer and Lisa Bachmayer want to completely update. Their new franchise barbershop, Roosters, is aimed at putting the 21st century man in a station and providing him with what he dares not admit he needs — pampering.

"Just enjoying the experience of a nice haircut, shampoo, scalp massage, shave — it's really the total experience we're trying to give the guy," Ballmer said. "I mean, women have been doing it for years."

Roosters’ interior is a modern take on the old-school barbershop, with hardwood floors and stations stocked with Roosters, American Crew, Woody's and Paul Mitchell products. "We want to sort of update the barbershop for the 21st century," Ballmer said. "We're trying to create that comfortable atmosphere, but at the same time have a more contemporary look to it."

The aim is to introduce Toledo men to the luxury of a barbershop shave (done with Gillette Mach 3s in reclining leather chairs) combined with the sleep-inducing relaxation of a facial, or even get them acquainted with a (still macho) manicure. Men who work in uniform — military, firefighters, policemen and EMS workers — get a discount with the "professional hero cut," and groomsmen can book some time in the barbershop to bond, pre-wedding, during a shave and a haircut.

The idea of owning their own business began when Bachmayer and Ballmer met during the executive MBA program at UT nine years ago. When they heard about Roosters, they felt it was something the Toledo market lacked and liked the fact that, with a franchise, "the model was already there for you."
"It is a lot of fun," Bachmayer said. "I think providing a new business to the community is very important, because we're providing jobs, we're providing great service. It's just all around been a great experience so far."

Roosters cuts range from $15 for a young man's cut to $24 for a Roosters club cut. Roosters, 5300 Monroe St. 419-843-4030. www.roostersMGC.com.

One of the only places in life men have drawn the short stick — the salon. While women finish a haircut with a bouncy blow-dry, men walk out with itch-inducing hairs in their collar. It's an experience local business owners Greg Ballmer and Lisa Bachmayer want to completely update. Their new franchise barbershop, Roosters, is aimed at putting the 21st century man in a station and providing him with what he dares not admit he needs — pampering.

"Just enjoying the experience of a nice haircut, shampoo, scalp massage, shave — it's really the total experience we're trying to give the guy," Ballmer said. "I mean, women have been doing it for years."

Roosters’ interior is a modern take on the old-school barbershop, with hardwood floors and stations stocked with Roosters, American Crew, Woody's and Paul Mitchell products. "We want to sort of update the barbershop for the 21st century," Ballmer said. "We're trying to create that comfortable atmosphere, but at the same time have a more contemporary look to it."

The aim is to introduce Toledo men to the luxury of a barbershop shave (done with Gillette Mach 3s in reclining leather chairs) combined with the sleep-inducing relaxation of a facial, or even get them acquainted with a (still macho) manicure. Men who work in uniform — military, firefighters, policemen and EMS workers — get a discount with the "professional hero cut," and groomsmen can book some time in the barbershop to bond, pre-wedding, during a shave and a haircut.

The idea of owning their own business began when Bachmayer and Ballmer met during the executive MBA program at UT nine years ago. When they heard about Roosters, they felt it was something the Toledo market lacked and liked the fact that, with a franchise, "the model was already there for you."
"It is a lot of fun," Bachmayer said. "I think providing a new business to the community is very important, because we're providing jobs, we're providing great service. It's just all around been a great experience so far."

Roosters cuts range from $15 for a young man's cut to $24 for a Roosters club cut. Roosters, 5300 Monroe St. 419-843-4030. www.roostersMGC.com.