Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Bair. Chris and team share their story below.
Please kick things off for us with some background on the story.
In 1999, Chris Bair decided it was time to create salon/barbershop unlike anything else in town. Even though he didn’t cut hair or have any experience in the industry, he saw a niche that needed to be filled. So with a little naiveté and a lot of imagination, Shorty’s Barber Shop was born.
Shorty’s is a lot like an old-time Barber Shop, but with a modern twist. On a trip to Shorty’s you can find out what’s going on around town, run into old friends in the lobby, listen to fantastic music and get a great haircut! There’s even hair coloring, relaxers, and shaves. The interior is a sight to be seen – there’s tattoo artist graffiti art on the walls, retro style barber chairs, eclectic furniture, hardwood floors, and the most diverse group of haircutters around.
Shorty’s Barber Shop has been in numerous publications and on many television shows. From GQ Magazine to Details Magazine, YoHo! Magazine, Cargo Magazine, Frontiers Magazine, Nightlife Magazine, LA Weekly, and Advocate Magazine. It has also been feature and mentioned in such shows as Bravo’s “Shear Genius,” and “VanderPump Rules”, ITV’s “All the Gear, No Idea: Best of Los Angeles,” CNN’s “World News,” NBC’s “Grease, You’re the One That I Want,” and E!’s “Chelsey Lately.”
Seen and be seen! We’ll let’s see, how about Daniel Craig, Chris Pratt, Adam Lambert, Adam Levine, Joe Montana, Channing Tatum, Toby Maguire, Ryan Phillippe, Selma Blair, Rob Kardashian, Clive Barker, Jody Foster, Simon Rex, Sophia Bush, Austin Nichols, Ashley Hamilton, Faye Dunaway, James Cromwell, James Gandolfini, Patrica Heaton, Scott Bakula, Meagan Good, Alex Pettyfer, Parker Young, David Boreanaz, Phillip Phillps, Chris Pratt, Henry Rollins, David Arquette, Tallulah Belle Willis, Leslie Jordan, Robert Patrick, Cassadee Pope, Billy Zane, Ian Ziering, Spencer Pratt, Jaclyn Smith and even the hair queen herself, Tabitha Coffey has stopped in to say hello! These are just a few of the more well know clients and visitors we’ve had over the years. And the list goes on…
What about the awards? Shorty’s has been in the “Best of Los Angeles” by LA Weekly, “Best Barber Shops in America,” by Details Magazine 2012, “Best Do,” by Frontiers Magazine 2012, “Best of WEHO” Magazine 2018, “Best of Gay LA” Blade 2018 & 2019 and won 3 WEHO Awards. Shorty’s has been awarded a Best of Yelp Award, a Best of Local.com Award, and a Best of CitySearch Award for Barber Shop, in both 2008 and most recently 2013.
Shorty’s also believes in giving back to the community by aligning itself with many notable charities and fundraisers. From working with charity events like Aid Project Los Angeles, Concrete Hero, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, elder housing to local schools, Shorty’s is there.
Since its inception, Shorty’s has grown to be a cornerstone of the community. Shorty’s is unique. There aren’t franchises or multiple locations. Shorty’s believes in keeping it local, connected and personal.
Over the past few years, Shorty’s has developed its own line of hair care products exclusively designed for the active fashionable Hollywood gent. www.getshortys.com
Chris Bair has also been a featured, Fashion and Grooming columnist for two major online magazine properties, where he gives tips and tricks to up any man’s game.
Shorty’s is a total grooming experience, and that’s the way it should be!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Running any business is never a smooth road, but that’s how success is achieved! Navigating these challenges and steering the business towards success. So far, the biggest struggle to date is the most recent one of Covid-19! Being at the mercy of the governing authorities and health regulations that are out of your control is the most difficult to navigate. We have been shut down twice. We were finally allowed to reopen, then shut down again, then allowed to open outside, then allowed to move inside, but only operate at 25% capacity. Over the last eight months, we haven’t been able to operate at a sustainable level or even operate at all at times. At this time, we have lost more than half our original staff due to people moving and the fallout of Covid-19 on people’s lives. We have established numerous Covid safety protocols and continue to operate with the staff and client’s safety as our main objective in these new times. We will get thru this and continue with our tradition of servicing the community we love.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are known for men’s grooming for the Hollywood gentleman. We have provided, for 22 years, a comfortable place that creates the best hairstyles for men. What we are most proud of at Shorty’s is our diversity, when you come into Shorty’s you should feel comfortable no matter who you are or what your background is. We have every type of barber and stylist and are happy to set you up with the right one for your grooming needs!
What were you like growing up?
As a kid, I was the quiet independent type. Very into my studies and adventures. My best friend and I were always trying new things. We took Karate for years. Learned in chemistry class how to make our own fireworks from supplies we bought from a pet supply and put on shows with the results. I guess I always wanted to entertain from plays in college to moving to Hollywood for the dream!
Pricing:
- Haircuts are $37
- Hair coloring starts at $60
Contact Info:
- Address: 755 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046 - Website: www.shortysbarbershop.com
- Phone: 13232970554
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shortys_barbershop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShortysBarberShopLA
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShortysBarber
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shortys-barber-shop-west-hollywood
Image Credit:
Bradford Rogne for personal photo
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