For many African American males, going to the barbershop consists of sitting in a grimy room while being served and listening to and participating in animated conversations on subjects such as politics, sports and the opposite sex while barbers cut hair.
The clipping and cutting of the hair usually are the services male customers partake in, with an occasional shampoo. However, Le’Vance Bell, the owner of Advanced Grooming located in Virginia malls Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington and Woodbridge’s Potomac Mills, wants the customer experience to be more professional and pleasant.
“Men are beginning to pamper themselves,” Bell, 39, said. “We offer our customers more than just haircuts. We offer grooming as far as their face and head is concerned. In addition to haircuts, we offer facials, shampoos, shaves and treatments for conditions such as hair loss.”
Bell said he intentionally doesn’t follow the traditional barbershop model.
“When you come into our place, it doesn’t resemble a barbershop,” he said. “We have a grooming lounge where you can sit back in comfortable chairs and be served. We have a laid-back, mature atmosphere. Our customers and barbers talk about sports and other subjects in a quiet, dignified atmosphere, no loud talk or crazy music in the background. I have had women who bring their sons to my shops and say they do so because they feel comfortable.”
Bell, a native and resident of Woodbridge, said he started barbering at the age of 12, but formally started his training as an apprentice. He has been grooming hair fulltime for over 15 years.
Bell primarily works out of his Pentagon City location. He credits the Simon Property Group for working with him on both of his locations.
“The leasing agent told me about the opportunity to come to the Fashion Centre and we worked it out,” Bell said. “We are one of a dozen Black businesses in this mall. I like it here because we are close to D.C. The potential for growth is amazing and there are great opportunities for economic growth.”
My appointment was at 2pm July 14, 2023 at Advanced Grooming at Pentagon City Mall. I arrive at 1:52pm. Vance asks me “are you a walk in?” and I explained to him that “I have an appointment for 2pm with you.”
He responds: “ ok…. (pauses) … I’ll have you in the chair around 2:20-2:30”
I reminded him “I have an appointment for 2.”
He has this smirk on his face and replies “yeah well you know it’s always a grace period.” I knew something was off at this point and I flat out ask him “do you have someone else in front of me?” Mind you NO ONE IS SITTING IN HIS CHAIR at this point, but while we’re having this conversation a military member proceeded to get into the barber chair.
Vance who still has this smirk on his face says “what time did you need to get out of here by?” I replied “I was hoping to be out of here by 2:45.”
He said “oh you’re not getting your beard done? Because that’s an 1 hour and 15mins“ this told me everything I needed to know because I booked haircut and beard with you. He kept trying to rationalize with me that “I can still get you off here by 3:15.” The appointment time for haircut and beard is 1hr and 15 mins when you book. But if it’s to his advantage and convenience to get me in the chair late, he can still get me out by 3:15 if I let him take another client in front of me during my scheduled time. At this moment I instantly requested a refund.
Vance you are thee most unprofessional barber and businessman I have ever met. This is how you treat a first time potential client ?! You showed no respect for me as the client nor my time. You lack accountability. Getting a client in the chair LATE who has a scheduled appointment, while you’re letting another client get in the chair during my scheduled time shows that you lack proper business and customer service etiquette.
I was a walk in. Being a full time Santa from the Santa workshop northpole NY I was visiting DC and needed a trim. You should have seen the look on their eyes as I walked in. They did an amazing job trimming a shaping my beard. I will diffidently come back here again.