BAYFIELD – Like other young business professionals, Hazel Knipp wanted to have her own workspace and be her own boss, all while interacting with other people.
She also sees a number of blue collar workers come through Bayfield during the work week needing a haircut, and she wanted to assist those who didn’t want to settle for getting a trim in Durango. That’s why she opened Black Rose Barber Parlor, 320 N. Mountain View Drive, Ste. 2, last month.
The shop is located next door to Buck's Customs and Collision and across from NAPA.
Knipp wanted to help make it easier for police officers, construction workers and other blue collar employees working later hours to get a quick walk-in trim so they won’t have go to Durango on a weekend.
“I’m willing to help them out. That way, they can look nice and go to work looking nice and feel confident about themselves,” she said. “A haircut makes you feel 10 times more confident.”
Should their schedules wrap up closer to 6:30 p.m. when the shop closes, Knipp said she can work with their schedules and plan to work a bit later. She also takes walk-in appointments on Fridays and Saturdays for those who may not have time for a haircut during the work week.
“I want to make it convenient for people,” she said.
Knipp also hopes to be accessible to Bayfield High School students for their school photographs.
Knipp earned her license to be a professional barber this past summer before transforming a storage space her family owns into Black Rose Barber Parlor, which was named after a 1950s Mercedes luxury vehicle her great-grandparents owned.
Her brother, Steven Knipp, works at Buck's Customs and Collision – well within Black Rose’s target clientele – and makes sure to stop by the parlor after his shift whenever his sideburns or the back side of his head hair start getting a bit long.
“It’s late, I’m tired. And I just come in here, get my hair cut, and I can take a nap. She’s so gentle and it’s so calming, and she just makes it peaceful,” he said, adding he doesn’t feel compelled to have any awkward conversations like he may have at other barbershops. “I’ve been here a couple times and dozed off.”
mhollinshead@durangoherald.com
