All-hockey salon to open new locations

Don't want to miss a minute of Stanley Cup playoffs? Even for a much-needed haircut? Well, you don't have to.

An all-hockey themed salon, Skybox Haircuts, opened at 249 Waverley Rd. last summer.

"We're not kid-focused or about cartoons. We're hockey-fan focused," said business partner Denny Barkhouse.

He is the newest of three partners. Corey Mosher, along with a silent partner, originally brought him onboard to help with the marketing.

"My passion for hockey and business seemed to be a natural fit," he said.

And the puck doesn't stop there for Skybox.

The owners are planning to expand by opening at least three new locations in the city this year.

The first at the Bedford Commons this summer, which will be decked out in much the same way as the first location.

The reception counter looks like a sports-announcers desk, an over-head score-clock houses four, 42-inch flat-screen televisions, the hair products are displayed on locker-room style shelves, and the walls are covered in hockey memorabilia, including a Sidney Crosby jersey.

"All the stuff on the walls is authentic. We have the papers for everything," said Barkhouse.

The salon also has four X-box terminals stocked with NHL and other hockey-themed games.

He notes his favourite part of the salon as he walks from reception into the stylists' quarters. "It's like walking onto the ice surface."

The main floor is aged concrete to look like the ice surface and the surrounding walls are identical to hockey-rink boards.

The salon has five stylists catering to a clientele made up of about 60 per cent men, 25 per cent youth and 10 per cent women. And Barkhouse said they're all about the local hockey community.

"It took awhile to find the right location. We were looking for somewhere with a lot of traffic and great community spirit. This is definitely a hockey community. It was a good fit," said Barkhouse.

One night an entire AA novice hockey team came in and had their team colours dyed in their hair for an up-coming tournament.

lmckay@hfxnews.ca