With many of us social distancing and staying in our homes we have been unable to see our barber. These are hard times. Chances are your shaggy haircut is looking even shaggier these days and you’re ready for a fresh hairstyle. The warm months are approaching quickly, so why not be prepared for the weather […]
No matter the type of hair you have, it’s extremely important that you maintain your look with the right upkeep and management that your style needs. Finding a barber that you trust is essential, but what happens after you leave the barber is just as important. Sure, you have the nice cut, but do you […]
Spring has sprung, and what better way to emerge from winter hibernation than for a fresh haircut? Shed those shaggy locks for a cut that keeps you looking good at your job and out socializing. Need some suggestions on what styles are in fashion for men in 2020? The stylists at Dapper Gents is up […]
It’s February, and love is in the air. We hope your Valentine’s Day this year was a success! We also hope you stopped by Dapper Gents for a fresh haircut before going out on the town! With everyone thinking about love this month, it got us thinking: what makes us love Dapper Gents so much? […]
Didn’t get the gifts or stocking stuffers you were looking for last month? We can help with that. We’re heading into a new year and a new decade. Why not start the decade off strong with a new hairstyle and the best grooming products you can find? Skin care is crucial, especially during these cold […]
No Shave November is here, and if you want to participate, you need to prep your beard or mustache. Read on for some tips on how to prep and maintain your beard or mustache so you can help raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer this November. Some may consider it a joking matter when […]
We get asked by many men who come into our grooming lounge: “What’s the key to having awesome hair?” Our answer? Have a knowledgeable, experienced barber and use the right hair products. There are thousands of men’s hair products on the market; you just need to know what they are, what hair type they work […]
Growing out a beard takes time and a bit of effort, believe it or not. It can be annoying and frustrating dealing with wild hairs that are out of control and out of place. You may even be tempted to trim those hairs while you’re still in the growing phase – just to keep things […]
Beards are kind of the “thing” nowadays? Men can distinguish themselves and their overall image with their facial hair. From chin goatees to handlebar mustaches or French beards – more and more men are now sporting full blown beards. You may not realize it, but beards require just as much care as the hair on […]
We think it’s pretty fair to say that most men are not like women when it comes to their hair. Women spend years searching for the perfect salon with the perfect stylist to give them their perfect look. It’s a relationship; they truly commit to their stylist as their stylist commits to them – making […]
After more than a decade, Dapper Gents is closing its doors.
In 2014, we opened our first location on Washington Avenue in Downtown St. Louis. At the time, the concept was different. We combined traditional barbering with scissor work, straight razor shaves, luxury men's retail, and an elevated customer experience into something that wasn't common in St. Louis or the barbershop community as a whole. Before opening, we traveled around the country visiting some of the best barbershops we could find, studying what made them special and bringing those ideas home.
From restored 100-year-old barber chairs and luxury furniture to premium men's products and apparel, we poured our hearts into creating something unique. We weren't trying to be another barbershop. We were trying to create an experience.
Over the years, Dapper Gents became more than a business. It became a gathering place. We watched clients get married, change careers, build businesses, and raise families. We built lifelong friendships with clients and staff. We attended trade shows, pushed the industry forward, and helped raise the standard for what a modern barbershop should be - that many now emulate.
As Downtown St. Louis changed, we made the decision to relocate to Ladue. There, we built another beautiful shop and continued serving our clients for several more years.
Unfortunately our landlord made the decision for us, as our lease renewal approached we were unable to find a path forward that made sense. We involved our staff throughout the process. We explored multiple locations. We discussed commute times, demographics, atmosphere, economics, and what would be required to preserve the Dapper Gents experience that our team and clients had come to expect.
In the end, we couldn't find the right fit.
The decision to close was not made because we stopped believing in the brand. Quite the opposite. Dapper Gents was built on a certain standard, and we weren't willing to compromise that standard simply to keep the doors open.
It stings.
It's not the outcome we wanted.
But sometimes the right decision and the easy decision aren't the same thing.
To every barber who worked behind our chairs, thank you.
To every client who trusted us with your time, your stories, and your loyalty, thank you.
To everyone who supported Dapper Gents over the last 12 years, thank you.
The impact this barbershop had was far bigger than we ever imagined. We are incredibly proud of what was built, the people we met, the memories we made, and the role Dapper Gents played in helping shape the barbering industry.
While this chapter is ending, the Dapper Gents name isn't going away. What comes next, if anything, remains to be seen. Because we have seen when God closes one door, he always opens another.