Agave Kitchen Owner Plans to Open Barbershop in Riverfront Square Building in Downtown Hudson

Since closed its doors a few months ago, Hudson businessman has been looking to open up his own old-school barbershop in downtown Hudson. Now he has signed a lease to occupy space in Riverfront Square currently occupied by .

Property owner Joe Slater said that Dolce will be out of the space no later than July 1, which is when Rode's lease begins. and also occupy space in the building.

"The location has high visibility with great parking and easy access, especially compared to other locations downtown," Slater said. "A barbershop is certainly compatible with the building. We learned that a restaurant with a liquor license is not compatible there."

Slater also noted that most of his tenants in that building, with a few exceptions, tend to stay for a long time until they outgrow the space.

Rode's grand vision

Rode says the barbershop, which he plans to call Charlie's Barbershop & Shave, will be a true old-school barbershop where people come to chat and socialize as much as to get their hair trimmed.

"Our motto is going to be 'What would you like to talk about?'" Rode said. "When you sit in the chair, that's the first question you're going to be asked. No matter what your topic is, their job is to be supportive of the topic and the conversation."

In many ways, Rode says his barbershop will be like a community center or a man cave. He envisions that there will be plenty of seats around for others to engage in the discussion as well. Rode plans to offer soda and refreshments, and games such as cribbage, chess and checkers. Free WiFi and an iPad will also help spur conversations.

"When you walk in, everything is going to be white," Rode said. "It's going to be crisp and clean with plenty of distractions like talk radio, sports channels and news channels."

Rode has even envisioned the prices he will offer: $15 for a regular haircut; $12 for kids and seniors; $25 for a haircut and straight-razor shave.

He hopes to have it up and running by mid-July.

Diversification or distraction?

Rode's main business is Agave Kitchen, a prominent restaurant and bar in the middle of Hudson's historic downtown district. He also runs Ninja Cab Co. and a restaurant consulting firm. Now he is adding a barbershop to the mix, which is a line of work in which he has no knowledge or experience.

Competing restaurateur Pete Foster, who operates and , says that having so many ventures could distract Rode from keeping Agave Kitchen operating at a high level.

"I would never try to do something like that," Foster said. "My focus is strictly on our two restaurants here. I need to really pay attention to what's going on on a daily basis to make sure that we're carrying through hospitality, the quality of the food, the quality of the service and the cleanliness of our establishments."

Foster said he tried a small experiment four or five years ago in which he open a franchise sub shop in the Twin Cities, but he quickly realized that it was taking his attention off of his Hudson restaurants. He decided to sell the operation and re-focus on Barker's and San Pedro Cafe. 

Rode says his taxi company and barbershop businesses are more about diversifying his assets and creating jobs than about distracting him from his core business.

"I'm very grateful that the restaurant is doing well, and I just want to start to get things established for the long term," Rode said. "This more of a 'me project.' Instead of buying myself a cabin or an in-ground pool or something, I want to do something that helps the community and creates jobs."