A pair of Mid-Missouri entrepreneurs will open a new Jefferson City barbershop in late October.
DJ Bishop and Stephanie Murray opened Clean Cut Barbershop in October 2015 on Green Meadows Road in Columbia. Now they're preparing to open a second location in Jefferson City this October.
Bishop and Murray previously worked for a chain salon franchise in Columbia. They've made their mark on the market by creating a barbershop with a unique atmosphere that offers services different from chain salons.
"It's a modern twist on the barbershop," Bishop said.
Clean Cut caters to men. Detailed beard trims can be done during haircuts, and the shop offers old-school straight-razor shaves by appointment. The shop also offers more modern touches like eyebrow waxing.
While waiting, customers can sip on a glass of Pinot Noir or Mother's Brewing Company's Three Blind Mice beer. Other snacks, coffee and soda are free for customers to enjoy.
"Our wait times are sometimes long," Bishop said. "Beer and wine is only probably 5 percent of our sales. But if somebody wants to, they can have a beer as they wait."
The drink menu features regional beers from Columbia's Logboat and Burr Oak breweries and Kansas City's Boulevard Brewing Co.
The barbershop does not perform hair coloring services beyond basic graying services for men. Clean Cut performs many haircuts for children, as well as basic hair cuts for women.
Bishop, a Boonville resident, worked for five years at a chain salon in Columbia. Murray worked at the same salon for 10 years. She said working for a chain placed restraints on her and Murray, which inspired them to open their own barbershop.
Bishop described Clean Cut as her dream job. During the two years since opening the Columbia location, she and Murray leaned on people in Mid-Missouri's small business community to help them get their footing, she said.
Opening the Columbia location was rushed because it opened just four months after they left their previous jobs. Bishop said they decided about a year ago they wanted to open a Jefferson City location, which hasn't been as scary.
"When we opened Columbia, we had faith it would do well, but you're still scared to put everything on the line," Bishop said. "We've done it before."
Bishop said Clean Cut hopes to open the Jefferson City store Oct. 16, but delays could push that date back slightly. The company is currently hiring for both the Jefferson City and the Columbia locations because some Jefferson City residents who work at the Columbia location will shift to the Jefferson City store. Interested applicants should call 573-442-1904.
The interior of the Jefferson City location at 744. W. Stadium Blvd. has just been painted and cabinets still are being installed. Bishop estimated construction will be finished in about two and a half weeks.
The Jefferson City location will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. It will be closed on Sundays.
Overall, Bishop said, the experience has been rewarding.
"It was like jumping off a cliff," he said. "It was the scariest, most exciting thing I've done in my life. It feels surreal."
Know of any business happenings around Jefferson City? Let us know at [email protected].