Dream Turns into a Fun Reality for Retro Cuts
By Gary Newman
Ashland Beacon
It all started with a dream. It wasn’t a vision for the future but a dream and it would take root and grow into one of the most exciting and fun places in the South Ashland uprising. Kevin Steele, the owner of Retro Cuts, is creating a new culture that replaces the norm with a comforting and easy to love environment where haircuts are only a part of each visit. The space on 29th Street has the owner’s cartoon face logo on the front windows, graffiti-style lettering inside and out, toys and trinkets on display from the 80s and 90s, stand-up arcade games, and many Star Wars references everywhere. The music inside is 80’s pop (or some other fun decade, dictated by mood). If there were no haircuts going on, it would still be a very fun place to be.
It really all started as a dream. Kevin woke up and started writing down all the details where everything had the 80s and 90s vibe inside. “I was like, I’m making that happen so I woke up and started writing everything down,” Steele recalled, “I grabbed pen and paper and started writing every detail I could remember. My brain was just going crazy, so I started adding stuff and ideas.”
From those frantically jotted down notes after a very detailed dream, Retro Cuts was born. The business, which opened in November and has 4 employees, has taken seriously Steele’s vision where he knows exactly what he wants it to be. “I want fun here. I don’t want only us to be here working,” Kevin shared, “I want us to have fun. That’s what I want the whole vibe to be.” The employees do have fun and it shows, and it transfers to those who come in.
One of the most intriguing things, when you enter Retro Cuts, is the presence of stand-up arcade games in the waiting area. “Kids love the arcade games. They cry when they leave,” Steele recalled, “When they come in, and we take them straight back, they’re a little upset that they don’t get to play the games.” It’s not just the kids, though. Grown men sometimes come in and play for anywhere between half an hour to two hours.
Recently, on May 4th, a celebratory day for all Star Wars fans, employees cut hair dressed as Star Wars characters and even gave a discount when customers dressed up, too. Kevin Steele even made lightsabers for the kids as a part of having fun. “I wanted to bring something that people can enjoy coming in,” the owner shared, “The workers enjoy being here.”
“It’s nice to work for someone that has actually done what we’re doing,” Karissa Willett explained of Steele, “He’s tried to make it more comfortable for all of us working here. It’s easier to not fall into the downsides of the business. We’re all friends; we’ve known each other for a long time.” Willett added, “We’re passionate about what we do and who we do it for. It’s great coming into work knowing I’m hanging out with my friends doing something that’s fun.”
The original business goal was doubled in the first month. Through word of mouth and an ever-growing Facebook presence, Retro Cuts continues to exceed expectations. The commitment to excellence is a high priority. “They’re coming into a safe, fun environment to get the top-notch haircuts that they deserve,” Steele shared, “We’re all highly experienced.” He has been in the business for 14 years, and up until now, he commented, “Everything else has been the same, or copied off of something else.” This is different, and growing fast.
Expansion could be in the future for Retro Cuts, and Steele wants that, but he’s also excited that they are working toward their next ‘themed day’, which will probably be 80s or 90s in nature. Additionally, he has other plans to continue to introduce the community to the contagious nature they share day in and day out. “Here in the next few months, I want to rent out the roller rink for a few hours and have a throwback 80s 90s retro to hang out with all of us,” Steele envisioned, “and have some local businesses (small business supporting small business) and we’ll be dressed like characters so kids can skate with the Mandalorian.”
It would probably be difficult to find someone who has a grumpy attitude in Retro Cuts since the very nature of the place has been richly developed in and nurtured with fun. Speaking of grumpy attitudes, Karissa offered, “You can come in with one, but we hope you don’t leave with it.” She continued, “We don’t have clients or customers, we have friends.”
That’s a philosophy that will bring people back again and again.
Steele concluded, “I grew up in the stage of watching video games and technology growing up. Just going back to seeing everything in here that I was just so happy about in life, it’s a feel-good, the memories all over again. You cannot go wrong with retro.”
You can experience Retro Cuts for yourself at 2040 29th Street or check out their unique culture on the Facebook page.