Atlanta airport plans hair salon

You can get a pedicure, eat sushi and rent a sleep suite at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, but you still can’t get your hair cut there.

Atlanta airport officials are relaunching an effort to open a hair salon/barbershop in the domestic terminal atrium, following a couple of aborted attempts.

Hartsfield-Jackson several years ago had planned to open a Jakki Colours hair salon in the atrium, but it never came through. And last year, airport officials widely publicized their plans to open a barbershop. Six companies submitted proposals, but still, a striped barber pole has yet to spin in the airport terminal.

Now, officials at the world’s busiest airport are rejiggering the concept with the idea of offering both barbershop and hair salon services in the domestic terminal atrium.

The idea behind the barbershop was to offer speedy services in an airport environment, “but as we looked at it, we realized, ‘What about women who need haircutting services?’” said airport spokesman Reese McCranie. “By only keeping it as a barbershop, you’re limiting the amenity to only half the population.”

Indeed, airport documents show officials now seek an operator to offer the gamut of services: “hair cutting, shampooing, styling, hair trimming, scalp massages, relaxer, blow drying, waxing, shaving, trimming beard/mustache and other services available at a full hair salon.”

The airport plans to hold a pre-bid conference Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Hartsfield-Jackson technical support campus at 1255 South Loop Rd. in College Park. Bids are due Oct. 1.