The Montanez family will soon open their new barbershop at 118 E. Wall.

 

 

They are waiting on a few items to complete the shop and plan on opening in the next few weeks.

 

 

Jose Montanez is father to the other barbers: his daughter, Jaylisha Montanez, and son, Giancarlo Montanez. Jose’s wife, Mayra does bookkeeping for the business “and everything else,” Jose said.

 

 

For 20 years the family has had a barbershop in Overland Park, operating six shops altogether, Mayra said.

 

 

“Jose won an award for best barbershop in the midwest and the Trailblazer Award of Kansas City,” she said. “Jose started training other barbers. We specialize in straight razors. It gives a clean, direct shave to the face, that started getting people’s attention.”

 

 

“It is an old fashion barbershop with hot towels and hot lather for our VIP treatment,” Mayra said. “But also all the trending hairstyles.”

 

 

The cost for a haircut is $20 and $30 for the VIP Treatment, which includes a beard cut with a hot towel and hot lather, Jose said.

 

 

There are posters of 180 men’s hairstyles on the wall of the barbershop, Jose said. “But we can also do custom hairstyles.”

 

 

 

“If you bring your kid in for a first haircut, they get a certificate with a piece of the hair and their name, date, and the signature of the barber,” Mayra said.

 

 

Their hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

 

 

Their first day of business, instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, will be a day of free haircuts for City of Fort Scott personnel: which includes police officers, firemen, city office, EMTs.

 

 

 

 

“Following the honoring of Fort Scott employees, the shop will be open to the public,” Mayra said.

 

 

 

 

“We are making vouchers, so if the city employees can’t come on that day, they can still come and get the VIP treatment,” she said.

 

 

 

 

“Being Puerto Rican…we know how to work with all hair,” Mayra said. “That has helped us be so diversified in the city. Anybody can come  and get a great haircut experience.”

 

 

Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier was in the shop on May 3 to welcome the new business.

 

 

 

When people are looking for a new town to reside in, they look for the basics: housing, transportation, schools, health care… but also personal care, such as barbers, Frazier said. “I feel like this shop will help add diversity and offer people with different kinds of hair a place for a haircut.”

 

 

 

The Montanez family purchased the storefront at 118 E. Wall from Dean and Marlene Gettler.

 

The Gettler’s would often have coffee and people-watch from the storefront, they were told by their realtor, Barbara Albright.

 

 

So the Montanez’s have installed a coffee station in the shop, with free coffee, and a table to sit and have the coffee.

 

 

“We started a coffee station, with Puerto Rico, Brazilian and American coffee, so the Gettlers can come for coffee, along with patrons,  and can have a free cup of coffee,” Mayra said.

 

 

Jose and Mayra have purchased a home on Judson, Jaylisha a home on Main Street and Giancarlo is looking to purchase a home in Fort Scott, as well.

 

 

To view the previous story on this barbershop:

Downtown Barber Shop Coming Spring 2021