By Kevin Collison
The influx of new businesses and services in the Crossroads now includes a men’s barber shop in the mix.
Dane Casey has opened his Venturemen Barbering Shoppe inside the EAST + WEST men’s clothing store at 1828 Grand Blvd. He offers what he describes as “high-quality men’s grooming” that includes haircuts, beard trimming and hot shaves.
“I saw the need here in the Crossroads because there are a lot of 20- 30- and early 40-something men here who are my bread-and-butter customers,” Casey said.
“There’s also the opportunity to mix with the clothing store. It’s a one-stop shop for men to get their head and face groomed, get clothes and then they’re out the door for a date.”
Casey met EAST + WEST owner Cameron Niederhauser socially. He was looking for a place to set up shop, Niederhauser had backroom space in the back of his store available.
Barbering is a second career for Casey. He previously worked as a live sound engineer and decided he needed a change while living in Nashville.
His interest in barbering began about nine years ago, mostly working out of his home.
Things got serious when he attended barber school at Ea La Mar’s Cosmetology & Barber College at 12th and Brooklyn about five years ago.
After picking up additional experience in D.C. and San Francisco, he returned to Kansas City about a year ago with the dream of launching Venturemen.
The space at EAST + WEST is capable of accommodating up to six barbers. Venturemen had a soft opening in late September and a grand opening is schedule for Oct. 12.
Casey plans to bring on an additional barber quickly and would like to have three in place by the holiday season.
A haircut costs $40 and Casey offers a free “cleanup” two- to three weeks after the original cut. Shave are $30 and beard trims go for $25. A combination haircut and beard trim goes for $55.
Hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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