Urban Style Barber Shop’s owner Terry Parks. Photo by Joan Semeria
As soon as you step foot into Urban Style Barber Shop in Palo Alto, you realize this isn’t your typical, run-of-the-mill barbershop. What sets it apart is its hip, upbeat and laidback atmosphere.
A “guys’ hideout” tucked behind Starbucks
At 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning, the shop, located at 719 Colorado Ave, is already buzzing with activity. Tucked behind Starbucks in Midtown Palo Alto, the shop could easily be overlooked. In fact, it was this off-the-beaten-path location that interested owner Terry Parks when he was scouting out places to set up his shop two years ago.
“When I was looking for a location, I thought about how guys like to build forts as a hideout,” he said. “This place almost feels like you are in a fort. I like that cool feeling.”
Urban Style Barber Shop definitely has a relaxed hangout vibe, with its large leather couch and sports memorabilia. Add in the Bob Marley poster, a football game playing on the TV, and you get the kind of ‘man cave’ that appeals to guys of all ages. With the lively banter and laughter among the barbers and customers, everyone seems to be a member of this special club.
A place where everybody can feel comfortable
Parks, who served a tour of duty in the Marine Corps and started out cutting hair out of his home for five years, put a lot of thought into what kind of shop he wanted and the ambiance he wanted to create. “I wanted to have a shop for everybody – young and old,” said. “We like that we have an upbeat tempo, and we want everyone to come in here and feel comfortable when they get a haircut.”
Photo courtesy of Urban Style Barber Palo Alto
Although the environment is relaxed, Parks and the other five barbers are serious when it comes to providing haircuts to their clients. They offer everything from the traditional styles to more hip cuts at a reasonable price. “We strive to appeal to everybody,” he said. “We are that local neighborhood barbershop… just with a little more swagger.”
