You Deserve This: The Salt Lake Barber Company
Community
Salt Lake Barber Company
10 E. 800 S.
Mon–Fri: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. | Sat: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
385.261.2196 | saltlakebarberco.com
I have to admit that over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly aloof about the amount of money and energy I put into my personal appearance. I’ve skated by as a patron of styling establishments with their price in their name and a regularly shifting team that ensured I could never just ask for “my regular.” Isaac Atencio and Eric Stone, Co-owners of Salt Lake Barber Co., believe that both the patrons and the barbers in their shop deserve more. In their mission, they state that they are “a collective of talented professionals, dedicated to building a community in and around our barbershop.”
“If you look at the way our shop is laid out, both rooms are essentially circles, in terms of chairs and couches, so that way, when it’s a full house, everyone is encouraged to communicate with one another.”
Stone and Atencio opened Salt Lake Barber Co. in 2016 after working together in a shop that inspired them to go into business for themselves, with a greater focus on the power a barber shop has to build communities. Atencio says, “That is what barber shops are all about, and that is our ultimate focus at SLBC. We are also very proud to say that we are a Black- and Latino-owned small business.”
Stone and Atencio’s vision manifested in the comfortable atmosphere they’ve created to intentionally help patrons feel welcome. “Eric and I really wanted something that ultimately looks and feels timeless,” Atencio says. “We also designed it to honor layouts of classic barber shops, especially those that really focused on how barbers and patrons would interact with one another. If you look at the way our shop is laid out, both rooms are essentially circles, in terms of chairs and couches, so that way, when it’s a full house, everyone is encouraged to communicate with one another.”
SLBC patrons can get haircuts, beard trims, straight-razor shaves and shampoos. Stone says, “People should expect pretty much whatever haircut they are looking for. Our shop prides itself in being able to provide nearly any cut and style a customer wants, whenever they walk into the shop. Whether it be a full-length gentlemen’s cut, shag or a tight bald fade, our staff can give you what you want.”
“From the moment someone walks in the door and sits in the chair, they know they are about to get pampered.”
In creating an atmosphere that is just as supportive of the staff’s experience as the patrons’, the team of barbers stick around and have the opportunity to settle into a stable career with Salt Lake Barber Co., which in turn translates into consistent results and ongoing relationships with clients. This level of professionalism and relatable approach means you are paying a bit more for your cut than your typical strip mall–style hut cut.
“I would say the biggest difference is the amount of detail we take in our haircuts,” Stone says. “Most shops that charge a much lower rate than us are more about quantity than quality. With us, one … receive[s]a full client consultation upon arrival, a detailed and tailored haircut, followed by a hot steam towel and straight-razor shave on the neck, and finished with styling and product advice.” He continues, “From the moment someone walks in the door and sits in the chair, they know they are about to get pampered. From the use of high-quality products, fantastic smells and the scented hot towel, they are getting quite the relaxing experience.”
Salt Lake Barber Co. carries a variety of grooming products from around Utah like Beehive Grooming & Co.’s top-shelf shaving and beard oils and balms, Olio Skin & Beard’s organic soaps, beard products and facial/tattoo treatments, and Royal Palms Pomade’s natural light pomade. Stone and Atencio carry their communal approach to the relationships with the vendors they work with as well. “We have been extremely grateful to carry all these lines and build the relationships with the people that make them,” Stone says. The shop also carries a wide selection of their own branded hoodies, hats and shirts.
“We respect all who come in and we will do everything in our power to keep you safe and provide you with an exceptional service that when you leave, you will feel like you are a brand-new person.”
Despite COVID-19, Salt Lake Barber Co. has maintained their neighborly feel in the community by upholding the trust of clients while taking all necessary precautions to keep patrons and staff safe. “We have made [it] our number-one priority to keep our shop open and our clients and staff as safe as possible,” Stone says, “We require all clients and barbers to have a temperature check at the door, use hand sanitizer and wear masks while in the shop. After every service, we completely clean and disinfect our stations, change our barber-cutting capes and thoroughly sanitize.”
Remaining in business and upholding safety expectations is also reliant on clients. “A big part of us not having exposure to the virus moving forward is to put a lot of trust in our clients,” Stone says. “We ask them to respect our shop and the other patrons by making sure they are honest about taking the right precautions before they enter our shop, social distancing, making sure they don’t have symptoms, etc.”
As we all venture into this strange new world, Stone wants you to know that at Salt Lake Barber Co., “We respect all who come in and we will do everything in our power to keep you safe and provide you with an exceptional service that when you leave, you will feel like you are a brand-new person. And the simple reason is you deserve this shit!”
You can find SLBC online at saltlakebarberco.com.