by RENEE PATRICK Cascade Business News Feature Writer
Have you been looking for a traditional barber shop in your neighborhood? Sal’s Barber Shop has recently opened their doors on the south side of Bend and aims to give you the buzz, flat top or shave that you have been looking for. Owner Sal Marca Jr. has worked hard to provide an inviting atmosphere and is proud to be the only barber shop in south Bend.
With a slogan of Quality Haircuts at a Fair Price, Marca not only strives to beat the prices of other barber shops in the area, but he takes the idea of the barber shop as a meeting place and an opportunity to form relationships with customers and their families seriously.
Sal’s Barber Shop began in 1961 with Marca’s father’s original shop in New Jersey. Having learned the trade from a cousin, Marca Senior later moved the business to the Sacramento area in 1977. Marca Jr. attended Moler Barber College in San Francisco in 1986, and at the completion of his studies, joined his father in the business. The two men opened a total of three barber shops around Sacramento and enjoyed brisk business.
In 2008, Marca Jr. decided to move up to Central Oregon in search of a smaller community in which to raise his two young children, Leanne and Jonathan. Marca’s wife Judy and the kids have helped out quite a bit around the shop, and the family has really enjoyed the Central Oregon lifestyle.
“I did quite a bit of research before choosing the location off of Third Street and decided to build the shop from scratch, “ Marca stated. He bought all new equipment and hired sign painter, Kevin Haugen, to add images to the walls. Old posters from his barber college hang on the walls, and Marca has installed several spinning barber poles in the shop, one dating back to 1955. A new logo was designed for the Bend shop and he will offer a variety of logoed merchandise for sale.
“The opening on July 1 went smoothly and we are seeing the business grow every day,” said Marca. A big hit with the kids has been a red sports car chair which has provided a little something to distract from the sometimes difficult task of a toddler’s trim.
Marca hired local barber Joe Bernal to share the workload, Bernal having attended Phagans Central Oregon Beauty College in Bend. While primarily serving men and children with cuts ranging from the old fashion of 1950’s haircuts to modern styles, the two also provide women’s haircuts.
Marca runs the business side of the shop as well and says that fortunately the bookkeeping and paper work has been a natural fit for him so far, the only challenge coming in juggling his various rolls at the shop with his family life. Marca wants to spend the next year getting the Bend shop established with the potential to open a location in Redmond next year.
Hours: Tues – Sat, 9am – 6pm, 61419 S. HWY 97 Suite D, Bend, OR 97702, 541-388-8850, www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sals-Barber-Shop-LLC/210063222355898.
