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NY Times Article: Dominican stying taking over African-American salons
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corporanay!
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In Washington Heights Dominicans are setting up haircut places for guys that seem as numerous as bodegas.
So even the men are getting in on the act.
And best of all, I've seen these places open very early in the mornings, late in the evenings and even on Sundays.
The business model of catering to the customer may seem obvious, but it's not the reality.
Especially in this business, where customers are very particular about who they let touch their hair.
Also, you can tell in some of these Dominican salons the owners plunked down good money for decor. That also makes a difference.
This is why I believe more American black women are going to Dominican salons.
Astor Place in lower Manhattan used to be the place to get fades and shape-ups, but they basked a bit too long in their glory days when they were one of the few places in town that offered these services.
Their barbers are aging, their skills are eroding, there is no influx of new talent, and the place looks more like a dump than ever. They also no longer get celebrity clientele like the used to.
No wonder the "jevitos" are looking to places in their own neighborhood to get their haircuts.
This is all beside the point, which is there are many talented Dominicans working in this field who are down to take away other place's business with quality work at reasonable prices.
So even the men are getting in on the act.
And best of all, I've seen these places open very early in the mornings, late in the evenings and even on Sundays.
The business model of catering to the customer may seem obvious, but it's not the reality.
Especially in this business, where customers are very particular about who they let touch their hair.
Also, you can tell in some of these Dominican salons the owners plunked down good money for decor. That also makes a difference.
This is why I believe more American black women are going to Dominican salons.
Astor Place in lower Manhattan used to be the place to get fades and shape-ups, but they basked a bit too long in their glory days when they were one of the few places in town that offered these services.
Their barbers are aging, their skills are eroding, there is no influx of new talent, and the place looks more like a dump than ever. They also no longer get celebrity clientele like the used to.
No wonder the "jevitos" are looking to places in their own neighborhood to get their haircuts.
This is all beside the point, which is there are many talented Dominicans working in this field who are down to take away other place's business with quality work at reasonable prices.
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The Dominican hair places are popping up all over. They do well with hair straightening/braiding but they also can cater to Hispanic customers.
I was surprized not just by the number of Dominican salons in metro areas, but also on the number of shops selling extentions and wigs. Chris Rock has a documentary on the Black hair industry which is quite intriguing.
Now can someone explain to me why Asians have a monopoly on nail salons??
I was surprized not just by the number of Dominican salons in metro areas, but also on the number of shops selling extentions and wigs. Chris Rock has a documentary on the Black hair industry which is quite intriguing.
Now can someone explain to me why Asians have a monopoly on nail salons??
old article. it is at least 2 years old. but in any event...it d be nice if they could build a business that didnt appeal to vanity. On my block on Nostrand Avenue between Atlantic Av and Eastern Parkway, there are 24 hair salons, which is about 2 per block(more on some blocks counting both sides of the street). There are Dominican BIDs that will only front the money for these business and livery licenses. They see it as a sure thing.
Many of these women are self proprietors but the profit margin over here is slim because THERE ARE SO MANY. If you go to the corner, you have 3 Dominican salons, 3 American(black) barber shops, 1 African hair braiding place and a new spa just opened up also...ON 2 ADJOINING BLOCKS. So you go to another city with a large black population and look for an opportunity. These types of salons do best in the black community. I have seen a few in Queens on Woodhaven Boulevard in Italian or Eastern European neighborhoods and they dont seem to last as long as those that are on Jamaica or Myrtle Av.
Many of these women are self proprietors but the profit margin over here is slim because THERE ARE SO MANY. If you go to the corner, you have 3 Dominican salons, 3 American(black) barber shops, 1 African hair braiding place and a new spa just opened up also...ON 2 ADJOINING BLOCKS. So you go to another city with a large black population and look for an opportunity. These types of salons do best in the black community. I have seen a few in Queens on Woodhaven Boulevard in Italian or Eastern European neighborhoods and they dont seem to last as long as those that are on Jamaica or Myrtle Av.
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corporanay!
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Corporanay, I was the NJ distributor for AlterEgo Italy [professional salon products from northern Italy] for many years, and our warehouse was in Atlantic City [business sold]. Dominicans are crazy for their product line, and they made up probably 75% of my salon sales. More and more the salon owners mentioned that African-American women were seeking them out and leaving "their" salons behind. I was surprised at first, but it soon became very commonplace. A good Dominican stylist can make magic with a round brush and blow dryer.
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