It’s normal to hear that a bar, restaurant or even a bowling alley just received its liquor license, but it isn’t too often a hair salon received one as well.
Rumors IV Men’s Salon in Latham now offers the choice of soda, juice, wine or beer to go along with some soup, macaroni and cheese or other types of snack foods it has. Eric Straus, executive coordinator and community liaison, said this will add a new dimension to the type of services the salon offers.
This sets us apart from the other barber shops, he said. `We’re hoping it keeps the current clients happen and possibly draw in new ones.`
There will be a two drink maximum to make sure clients don’t get drunk before leaving the salon. Straus said it had received the license at the start of the year. The availability of alcohol has been well received, along with some new customers, and with no problems.
`We’re very careful about not serving underage and cutting off at the two drink maximum,` he said.
Straus said having the availability of beer or wine allows clients to unwind and distress after a possible long day. They can turn on a baseball game, grab a beer and get a massage while reinforcing the atmosphere of a men’s place.
The beer is bottled and kept in a refrigerator inside Rumors. Straus said the beer that is available is usually brands such as Heineken, Sam Adams or Blue Moon, trying to stay away from others such as Coors Light or Miller Light.
`It’s nothing other than just trying to give clients the best quality experience,` he said. `It’s more than a barber shop. It enhances the experience.`
If there is a preferred beer choice, Straus said they will make sure the place is always stocked with it.
It wasn’t hard to receive the license, though, Straus said. There had to be a list of where everything would be kept, where it would be served and what type of food would go with it. The New York State Department of Health then inspects the cleanliness of the area of where the food and beverages will be coming from. Straus said it is required of the salon to serve food along with the alcohol.
Bill Crowley, a spokesman for the New York State Liquor Authority, said there are a few salons in New York City that have a liquor license. Upstate, he said the only thing place he is aware of that has a license is Rumors. He said he was surprised to hear the establishment would pass the health inspection.
`We thought it would be a health code thing,` he said. `But it got approval from them so there is no reason not to license them. If you get a health permit, you can get a license.`
There are also jewelry stores that have a liquor license, he said, and added that the law is silent on whether you need a license or not when the establishment has a capacity of fewer than 20 people.
Straus said part of the idea of getting a liquor license was hoping expand Rumors for men and build a new salon for women at the end of April.
`Once you get the liquor license we can transfer it and cover all of our clients,` he said. `We’re testing it out to see if clients like it.“