GRAND OPENING
Boiler Room Cut and Shave Co. cuts ribbon on new barber shop
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » New barber shop The Boiler Room Cut and Shave Co., an entrepreneurial endeavor born during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now open for business.
Co- owners George Solevo and master barber Dakota McGivern, along with the barber shop staff, celebrated the grand opening of their new small business on Tuesday afternoon during a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally for its first day of operation, The Boiler Room Cut and Shave Co. offered discounted haircuts and complimentary cuisine from local restaurant Solevo.
The idea to start this new business in the Spa City started this spring, at a time when barber shops and hair salons around the state were unable to do business.
Nevertheless, Solevo and McGivern began making plans for The Boiler Room Cut and Shave Co. while they spent their days quarantining.
“George approached me with the idea and we kind of just went from there,” McGivern said. “During this quarantine it gave me something to do while I was locked inside.”
Before starting a business together, Solevo was a longtime client and friend of McGivern’s. “I believe in what he does,” said Solevo, who is not a barber himself
McGivern, a Troy resident, has worked in the industry for the past eight years, with dreams of starting a barber shop of his own.
“I’ve always wanted to own my own business,” he said. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
When looking around for the right spot, “We saw something special at this place,” said Solevo, who lives in Saratoga Springs. “We wanted a speakeasy- style barber shop, something that feels exclusive to the customer but also very inviting - for everybody.”
Over the past two and a half months the owners worked.to transform the former storage room into the barber shop space they envisioned.
Solevo and McGivern want The Boiler Room Cut and Shave Co. to be a place where people can hang out beyond just getting their haircut. The shop has an outdoor patio that will feature a TV for customers to watch horse races.
The goal for The Boiler Room Cut and Shave Co. going forward is “to be here forever,” McGivern said, expressing his gratitude to those in attendance on Tuesday. “Hopefully we’re here for the next hundred years.”
Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner was among the supporters present at the grand opening. “Everybody talks about how down our economy is and how difficult the times are, but it’s moments like this that give me hope that, in fact, we’re going to bounce right back. Because this is a city that is built on entrepreneurs. We have had a long, long history of young people building their businesses here, in
vesting in the city, and having the city invest in them,” she said, congratulating the new business.
Chamber president Todd Shimkus also offered some kind words. “We believe every ribbon cutting is a celebration of a dream come true, so congratulations on your dream coming true,” he said to the owners.
Located at 376 Broadway Suite R2 in Saratoga Springs, The Boiler Room Cut and Shave Co. can be accessed through the alley off of Phila Street adjacent to Ravenous.
The business is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Saturdays.
The Boiler Room Cut and Shave Co. currently offers haircuts, shaves, beard trims, steam treatments and a package called “The Old Fashioned” which features multiple services including a barber facial.
While most barbers don’t offer this, “I think it’s important for men and women to take care of their skin, and as a barber it is our responsibility to do that too,” McGivern said. “It’s not just hair, being a barber. It’s skin. It’s pores. It’s follicles. It’s everything.”
The Boiler Room Cut and Shave Co. also carries its own line of products such as a house-made aftershave. “With every service here, you’re going to be leaving with our product,” McGivern added. “You’re going to be leaving with our aftershave on you.”
Walk-ins are welcome, or appointments can be made by calling the shop at (518) 871-1752.