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The Grooming Lounge combines the atmosphere of a classic barber shop with a men’s health spa |
US. Men’s grooming specialist The Grooming Lounge is opening a second barber shop/spa for men in the US in March.
The Grooming Lounge combines the atmosphere of a classic barber shop with the amenities of a men’s health spa. The stores offer services including hot lather shaves, haircuts, business manicures, skincare and massages. Adding to the store experience are flat-screen televisions, men’s magazines, mugs of beer and “butler-like” service.
The second 1,800sq ft outlet will be located in the Tysons Galleria in McLean, Northern Virginia. The first Grooming Lounge began trading in downtown Washington DC five years ago.
The Grooming Lounge in Tysons Galleria will be the prototype for future Grooming Lounge locations, including Miami, which is expected to open later this year.
“The men’s grooming category is in ‘land grab’ stage right now and being one of the most experienced and well-respected players in the market — we are perfectly positioned to be a dominant force,” said Grooming Lounge Co-founder Michael Gilman. “Our offerings, unwavering focus on quality and ‘tongue-in-cheek’ approach to overcoming men’s notions about grooming will continue to set us apart.”
In September 2005, the company introduced Grooming Lounge shaving products including Pre Shave Face Wash, Beard Master Shave Oil, Beard Destroyer Shave Cream and Happy Ending Soothing Aftershave.
Grooming Lounge shaving tools were released in late 2004 and Grooming Lounge hair and skincare products will soon follow, the company said.
“What sets our products apart is that they were created in a real working barbershop by real barbers – not in a corporate boardroom by MBAs,” said Pirooz Sarshar, Grooming Lounge Co-founder and a barber himself. “We created products that would help make our services better and that will exceed men’s expectations when used at home. Our ultimate goals are that men will visit Grooming Lounge stores, buy Grooming Lounge products and get advice online at our Internet destination.”
The website www.groominglounge.com offers advice and offers for sale many types of shaving creams and face scrubs.
The company also has a print catalogue sent to more than 20,000 subscribers twice annually.
About The Grooming Lounge
Headquartered in Washington DC, The Grooming Lounge brand encompasses one of the US’s first classic barbershops/men’s spas, an information and e-commerce Internet site and a men’s grooming catalogue. Michael Gilman and Pirooz Sarshar started the business in 2000 because their friends kept complaining about the embarrassment they felt when buying grooming products from women in department stores. Five years later, what started as a home-based men’s grooming website has evolved into a men’s grooming corporation. Gilman was the Vice-President of Marketing for a major grooming/beauty products distributor, while Sarshar has been a barber for more than 15 years.
