Guys will crow over salon/spa
Men can get a haircut and color, 'nail shaping,' back wax at Roosters

CRYSTAL DEMPSEY

A new salon/spa is opening in Charlotte soon. Fellow female spa-holics, temper your excitement -- this one is for men only.

That's right, guys, you now have your very own place to get a cut and color or a mani/pedi or a back wax.

Roosters Men's Grooming Center is scheduled to open July 11 at Sharon Corners shopping center, across from SouthPark mall at Sharon and Fairview roads.

(I'm taking the high road on any cracks about the name.)

Up front, Roosters resembles an old-timey barbershop, complete with "man-sized" chairs and the traditional red, white and blue pole.

For $30, you can get a "neck shave, head massaging shampoo, rinse and style; a hot steam towel for your face; a brush of powder around your neck; and a splash of Bay Rum after-shave. All without any hair down your shirt." Other cuts and facial hair services are available.

Clients also get a complimentary beverage and shoe shine. The menu lists golf advice as "free."

In the back are rooms where one can get "nail shaping" (guy code for manicure and pedicure), color (highlights and all-over) and waxing (wherever you don't want hair).

Gift cards are available.

It's old news that guys are grooming more. Sports Clips, which has several hair shops in the region, caters to men only. Several cosmetics and skin-care companies now offer product lines for men. Many salons and spas offer services geared to guys.

Barber/stylist Joe Grondin opened the first Roosters in 1999 in Michigan. By the end of this year, there will be 13 across the U.S.

Former marketing executive Larry Bonhaus is behind the Charlotte franchises. He plans to open another Roosters in November in the Ballantyne area and six others around the region.

Bonhaus' reason for bringing the concept to the QC? "There's a dire need, from my perspective, for services in this price range," he says. "Sure, you can go to discount places where you get 10 minutes for $10 or you can go to where your wife goes and where they pay 50 or 60 bucks, and it smells like nail polish and perm solutions."

The shop and WFNZ-AM (610, 1660) are holding a "Men-dependence Day" contest. The prizes include a $200 Roosters gift card; a $200 gift certificate from Taylor, Richards & Conger Men's Clothing; and a watch from Ballantyne Jewelers. Enter at www.roosterscharlotte.com (click on "specials").

Tipping follow-up

Recently in my column, I answered a reader's question about tipping at salons/spas.A few salon owners and readers said that the suggestion to tip in cash, rather than add it to your credit card charges, was intended to help stylists and salon workers avoid paying taxes.

Not so.

It is the only way a client can make sure the entire amount of the tip gets into the hands of the person who did the work rather than go to transaction fees, etc.

Once the tip leaves a client's hands, it's up to the tip receiver to do the right thing concerning Uncle Sam.

Pat Helmandollar, owner of Savvy Salon and Day Spa in Cornelius, points out that salon/spa owners -- not stylists -- are responsible for reporting tips for tax purposes.

"If an employee does not report to the owner the proper amount of tips, the owner is held responsible," says Helmandollar, who is also a member of The Salon Association. She says her industry fights an underground economy of owners and stylists who do not report income or pay taxes that makes it harder for those who play by the rules.

I can empathize. However, consumers have the right to tip in whatever form they choose; the rest is between the stylist and the owner.

Some of you wanted to know how much to tip. The rule of thumb is 10 percent to 20 percent.

And remember, a tip is not mandatory. It's a gratuity, a reward for a job well done.

Roosters Men's Grooming Center

Sharon Corners shopping center, across from SouthPark mall, at Fairview and Sharon roads. Weekdays: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (704) 557-9008; www.roosterscharlotte.com.

Crystal Dempsey

more news »