Mar 27, 2019 4 min read

WAYNESBURG – With 26 years in the hair business among them, a trio of women made the dream of every cosmetologist come true – they opened their own shop.

Mankind Gentlemen’s Cuts shop, at 11 E. High St. in Waynesburg, has been open since Feb. 26. It specializes in men’s cuts, but there are several female clients as well.

It’s owned and operated by three licensed cosmetologists – Heather Jeffries of West Greene and Lydia Hobbs and Laura Johnson of Waynesburg. All three were previously beauticians at Classy Cuts in Waynesburg.

Working in a redesigned building that housed the former 4 Horsemen Comics Bookstore, the three provide haircuts, hot towel and hot lather shaves, waxing and scalp massages.The salon uses products by the company 18.21 Man Made – such as hair spray, shaving glide, pomade and beard balm – which are also available for purchase at the shop.

The partners have been getting the word out about the new enterprise through social media, word of mouth, the Greene County Chamber of Commerce and Waynesburg Prosperous and Beautiful.

“Since we opened, the community has been very supportive, and Waynesburg University college students are excited now that they can walk here from campus and don’t have to get in a car and drive for a haircut,” said co-owner Laura Johnson. “We’re in a good location, and had a student come in recently who said we’re the talk of the campus.”

The salon is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are also accepted.

Haircuts start at $16 and include a complimentary beverage (a choice of coffee, soda pop, beer or a cocktail). Those getting their first cut are entitled to a $2 discount, which is also offered on Trim It Up Tuesdays.

Although Johnson said her experiences doing women’s hair have gone smoothly and without incident, she said men are a bit more easy-going and care more about their beards than their haircuts.

“A lot of the guys just throw a cap on their head after they leave, but are more particular about their beards,” she said.

Johnson said she became interested in doing men’s hair when she took a men’s hair-cutting class in Pittsburgh in the spring of 2018.

“I really liked the class and thought it was the way to go,” she said. “For one, there’s a lot less overhead like the hundreds of different hair colors on stock needed for women’s hair. However, we do have a little bit of hair color on stock for men who might want it.”

Johnson, who said every hairdresser’s goal is to have his or her own shop and set their own hours, knew her fellow partners wanted to go into business as well. They decided to make the leap in August. Throwing around ideas for the name of the shop, they decided on Mankind Gentlemen’s Haircuts for its unique, trendy sound.

“It took awhile and about $10,000 to get everything together,” Johnson said. “We all had a lot of our own barber equipment and Heather and Lydia had their own barber chairs.”

Before opening, all three partners cleaned the building, took up the carpet, laid down hardwood floors and installed a toilet, mirrors and furnishings. Lydia’s husband, an electrician, provided the electric work, and a friend installed the water lines. They said all three husbands have been supportive of the business.

“If all goes well, we plan to add (a) shoe-shining service in the near future,” Johnson said.

To book an appointment, call 724-833-9169. Cash and credit cards are accepted.