Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is moving ahead with plans for a hair cuttery run by the owner of the Barber Shop Atlanta at North DeKalb Mall.
The airport’s first barber shop/hair salon will offer styling and haircuts for men and women in the atrium of the domestic terminal.
“We think we’re going to do well at the airport,” said owner Roosevelt Gilbert. He believes the diverse clientele he serves at North DeKalb Mall and the long hours there helped to prepare him for the airport environment. “It’s being able to do all types of hair, across all cultures and ethnicities,” Gilbert said.
The Atlanta City Council approved a resolution Monday afternoon for the deal with Gilbert’s company, ACU and Associates Inc. Once the contract is final, Gilbert hopes to open his airport location by early fall.
The airport has twice attempted to open a hair salon or barber shop. Years ago, a planned Jakki Colours hair salon for the atrium never panned out, and a 2013 attempt to open a barber shop was dropped. Then Gilbert’s barber shop-salon proposal was chosen from among four operators who applied in 2014.
“We’re hoping the third time is the charm,” said Michael Smith, deputy general manager at Hartsfield-Jackson.
Gilbert said he plans to offer haircuts, shaves, styling, perms, relaxers, facials and possibly neck, head and shoulder massages.
Gilbert said he has been operating 11 hours a day at the mall and expects to be open about 17 hours a day at Hartsfield-Jackson. Gilbert anticipates that will require about 30 staff members, including stylists, barbers and management, working on several shifts.
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