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Old South Barber Spa Press & Reviews
The Old South Barber Spa has been featured in: The Charleston Mercury, The Charleston City Paper, Robb Report, Charleston Magazine, House Calls Magazine(MUSC), Charleston Golf Digest, The Official Charleston Visitors Guide, SEWE Guide, The George Street Observer, Southern Bridal Show and The Post & Courier. Look for us this Spring in Legends Magazine(Kiawah Island), Charleston Weddings Magazine & The Wedding Guide and ResortQuest.com. ...................................................................................................................... The Man Spa A man’s shave. It’s not to be messed with. It’s one of the few luxuries a guy can get neck deep into – literally – and emerge feeling manlier than before. So what did we do when we heard about the newly opened man-tastic Old South Barber Spa? We sent a manly CHARLIE writer, of course, to bring you the first-hand experience. Here’s what he had to say… The hot towel Fiona applies to my face in the very beginning sets the tone. This is not going to be a standard at-home, in-a-rush morning shave. This is a shaving experience: a soothing succession of pre-shave oils, warm creams, and even a few light facial massages through the towel. The shaving itself is done twice, first with a straight blade and then a light finish with a MACH3, followed with rosewater toner and an after-shave balm. It’s a little bit of luxury, but with a style and flavor that appeals to gentlemen. The Charleston single house décor, with its elegant brick and ironwork, leans toward the masculine. Men who might feel less at ease in a more feminine spa will be right at home here, especially with the WI-FI connections, flat-panel TVs, and stylish outdoor courtyard. Little wonder that Old South Barber Spa has become a fast favorite for grooms and groomsmen who need some time to relax and reenergize while the clock ticks toward show time. Hey, why should the ladies have all of the fun? The clientele is an even mix of locals and visitors, according to Managing Partner Joe Spector. Many local professionals, upon discovering just how invigorating a spa service before or after a busy day at work can be, have become regulars. Services offered range from hair styling and old fashioned blade shaves to hand & foot treatments, massages and skin care. A complimentary beverage (think liquor and beer, as opposed to fruit-infused Pellegrino) and shoe shine is offered with each service. The best part of this slow, relaxing approach to men’s style and grooming – evocative of an old world men’s club experience – is the way that it literally resets the day. Hey, after all, being able to set stress and worries aside and just savor life for a little while is half the reason we live in Charleston anyway, right? Story by: Jason A. Zwiker ...................................................................................................................... Old South Barber Spa Voted Best in Charleston
...................................................................................................................... Just For Men ...................................................................................................................... The Old South Barber Spa The Gentleman’s Holy Grail As you may know, I typically profile publicly-traded companies for potential stock investment. In this issue, however, I evaluate a private business that has opened downtown on State Street. It’s the Old South Barber Spa. Its owners are Joe Spector and Stephen Schaefer. Spector lives South of Broad, while Schaefer lives a bit further west in Houston, Texas. Any organization is only as good as its management. I can vouch for the spa’s hands-on operator. I’ve known Spector since our New Jersey days. We both moved to Charleston — chiefly because we could — a few years ago. He’s a self-described “serial entrepreneur” with several business successes to his credit. Spector’s only limitation is that there are only 24 hours in a day. Schaefer is Spector’s classmate from Northeastern University’s (Boston, Massachusetts) Class of 1987. He’s a managing director at Riverstone in Houston. That company is a private equity firm focused on opportunities in the energy and power industries. I met him last week at the Spa’s Grand Opening. He knows how to have fun. I’m still shaking the cobwebs off from that night. To succeed, every business must have an “edge.” In my last article highlighting Altria Group (MO, $17.67), I described how the best enterprises have “economic moats” around them. This term was coined by investment giant Warren Buffet and refers to the competitive advantage an organization has over its peers, which allows it to attract and retain customers and to reap superior profits. I sincerely feel that the Old South Barber Spa meets this criterion. The spa is located at 10 State Street, which is downtown between Broad and Chalmers streets in the Historic French Quarter. The Barber Spa is housed in a 1794 building that throughout the years has been a printing company, mortgage and title business, a law firm and a residence. It’s simply spectacular. Spector and Schaefer have taken great pains to restore it to its original splendor. For example, the owners have reclaimed antique heart pine cabinets and have reused them to make a bar top and portions of the floor. Additionally, they have refinished “all” the woodwork in the building and restored the courtyard. The spa oozes old Southern charm with impressive artwork including historic photographs, maps, drawings, etc. The back bar — although no alcohol may be purchased at the spa — is Old School. In the rear, there’s even a quaint, walled courtyard for gentlemen to enjoy complimentary beverages and their favorite cigars. Oh, yes, this museum also provides full spa services. You can get a haircut — the “Clean Up,” the“Young Man’s Haircut” or the “Old South Signature Haircut” — massage, old-fashioned hot lather blade shave, manicure, pedicure, facial, waxing (ouch!), hair coloring and more. You may even have your shoes picked up and returned after they’ve been spit-shine polished. The spa offers an extensive a la carte menu of services as well as gift certificates and memberships that offer such pampering that they can cost as much as $3,000 per year. For those of you who aren’t breezing through this recession, don’t worry, gift certificates are available from $25.00 on up and memberships start at $295. The owners have even made accommodations for those who have difficulty climbing the steps to the spa’s magnificent third floor. I view the spa as much more than a barber shop with a few bells and whistles. Individuals and companies can host meetings there. Although the Spa has only been open for a few weeks, several events have already been scheduled there, including a board meeting. How about other business or corporate events or perhaps a bachelor or wedding party? I belong to a local men’s club. I plan to encourage our group to use the spa for its next gathering. Last week (September 24), the spa held its Grand Opening. Out & About images on page seven show some of the more 400 who attended and had a grand time. All of the 14 employees and the two owners were there. Impressed revelers booked their haircuts, massages and other treatments on the spot. What happens at the spa stays at the spa, so I’ll leave my event review there. I spoke to all of the spa’s team members. I found it particularly interesting that four of the 14 left downtown’s only other similar business to join Spector and Schaefer. One can assume that those who left the spa’s competitor changed jerseys for a reason. I encourage you to visit both facilities and make your own choice. In my book — and I’ll draw yet another sports analogy — the spa wins by much more than a nose. How does the spa fill up its many historic rooms? There are nine barber stations, two massage rooms with large showers, two manicure / pedicure areas, a shoe shine booth, five working fireplaces, a wonderful lounge area, four flat screen televisions, a bar and more. You can even browse the Internet on your laptop computer while you wait because the building is Wi-Fi enabled. Another interesting spa feature is its Father and Son Saturday. Bring your kid in — I know, he often kicks and screams all the way to the barber — for some male bonding. He can watch sports on one of the flat screens and visit with the attractive ladies who work there. Dad can do the same while enjoying a cigar and a complimentary drink. With all that the spa has to offer, it’s no surprise that it has been busy since its September 9 “soft” opening. This step back in time to a gentlemen’s club with old Southern charm and with a service-first mentality is clearly worth your making an appointment for your next treatment. The spa also accepts walk-in customers. The spa is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s also doing business on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For members, the spa may even open its doors for you to fit your busiest schedule. I’ll see you there. ...................................................................................................................... New shop will pamper men in grand style Old South Barber Spa at 10 State St., a new personal care shop exclusively for men, will hold its grand opening from 5:30-9 p.m. today. The three-story shop in a completely renovated building in the French Quarter offers expert hair styling, old-fashioned blade services, massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, hair removal and even a shoe shine. A choice of technicians and private spa treatments are available, with both a la carte and membership packages. The spa also features a lounge area, Wi-Fi connections, flat panel TVs and complimentary refreshments in the courtyard. It has five working fireplaces, nine styling stations and a choice of house music or the customer's own iPod tunes. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. "We are selling an old-fashioned Southern experience based on relaxation and comfort," managing partner Joe Spector said. "It's a comfortable place that is an Old World men's club."  |