Sports Clips Brings Winning Edge to Haircuts at New Boulder Run Location

If your kids love sports but hate getting their hair cut, one new Wyckoff business has a compromise you might be interested in hearing. 

“I can’t tell you how many parents have said ‘My son couldn't stand getting his hair cut — until we started coming here,’” said Steven Sbarra, the owner of Sports Clips, a new business combining the feel of ESPN studios and an upscale barbershop. "The look on the faces of our customers — and not just the kids—after they get a neck and shoulder massage and a hot towel wrap is incredible. We’ve been busy every day right after school lets out, and on Saturdays we’ve been absolutely packed.”

Sports Clips, which opened November 11 in the Boulder Run shopping center, is part of a national chain of 820 locations; New Jersey has only 6.

Sbarra, a 20-year Wyckoff resident who now resides in Mahwah, was way out in front on this business opportunity, inquiring about a franchise months before the Texas-based company was even ready to expand into the northeast.

He spent some 30 years in executive level management before sniffing out his entrepreneurial dreams.

Sbarra believes the recipe for success is not all that complicated.

“Treat people well and they tell others,” said Sbarra, a partner with his son Michael in this business. “It’s how you grow a business. We provide a terrific product at a good value and the local community has responded.”

Beyond the company's placement on Forbes’ list of Top 20 Franchises to Start, the Wyckoff location has already outperformed all the other Garden State locations.

The shop turned out 242 haircuts in its first week — including 110 in the first two days — and 244 the second week.

The early feedback from parents is that Sports Clips’ formula is nothing short of sheer magic.

The reception and waiting area set the tone for a unique experience, boasting a 55-inch high-definition flat screen and stadium-style seating. The glimpse you get of the hair cutting area keeps the fans — even the young ones — on the edge of their seats.

There are eight chairs and more TVs between each haircutting station.

And talk about adhering to a theme: Sports Clips forgoes cabinets for athletic lockers and ditches tile floors for gymnasium-style hardwood

In the area marked “Showers,” there are four massage chairs which back up to sinks, 

Customers should be relaxed knowing they are paying no more for the ambiance. Haircuts range from just $14 to $23 for the MVP service, where customers who opt for the signature MVP treatment get a vibrating chair massage, a scalp massaging shampoo and a hot towel wrap on their face. 

All first-time clients get a free upgrade to the MVP.

Staff, customers and parents seem happy to be around like-minded people.

“Some of the staff admitted in their interview that they aren’t over-the-top sports fans,” said Samantha Bergin, stylist, store manager, and a rabid New York Jets fan. “I told them, ‘Oh, don’t worry. Around here you’re going to pick it up quickly.’”

Sports Clips’ strong winning percentage thus far has been the result of a terrific premise, strong service, and a well-executed marketing plan.

Part of their three-month Grand Opening celebration is direct mail advertisement, a rewards program, and a referral program.

Linda Berenson took her seven-year-old son, Ova, to Sports Clips a few weeks back, and then brought nine-year-old Armen in last week.

“It’s 100 percent easier getting the boys to come here than anywhere else we’ve gone,” said Berenson. “My son wanted to come in a heartbeat today. This is a combination of a Super Cuts and a sports bar. This is one of those ideas that makes you ask yourself, ‘Why didn’t I think of this?’”

Although the staff is happy to provide haircuts to girls and women, Sbarra estimates only two or three out of every hundred haircuts are given to females — typically the sisters of male customers.

Social media is also playing a key role in Sports Clips' success.

One mother of a child who was thrilled with his experience there learned about the new business on the Facebook group.

Sbarra says at least one new customer each day comes in on a recommendation from the group.

“I was looking for a franchise and the minute I walked into
a Sports Clips in Phoenix while I was on vacation, I was sold,” recalled
Sbarra. “I didn’t even have to talk to the corporate headquarters. I knew this was a brilliant concept, and I see continued growth—here in Wyckoff, and all across the country.”

For more info, call Sports Clips at 201-848-4500 or find them on the web at haircutmenwyckoffnj.com.