Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 1 – Barber Shop: The Brownstone Barber Shop, on South Main Street, officially opened its doors to customers with a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 1. Photo: Stephen Dixon

On Feb. 1, 2017, a new business officially opened on South Main Street in downtown Blacksburg. Brownstone Barber Shop, which technically opened its doors to customers in late December 2016, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate their success thus far and announce themselves to the public.

Co-owner Patti Schrantz, a master barber for 34 years, and her three coworkers left Sports Clips to start Brownstone and get out of the corporate world. “We got really tired of the corporate setting. So we decided to make this LLC and formed the barber shop from there,” Schrantz said.

Being something new and different is not the only reason that Schrantz founded Brownstone. She wanted to help the local economy by keeping the tax dollars in Blacksburg as well as helping residents participate in the downtown Blacksburg loyalty card program.  According to the downtown Blacksburg website, the card program encourages customers to shop local by rewarding them with a five dollar gift card to a local business, when they make purchases at five different local businesses.

Adam Workman, assistant vice president at First Citizens Bank and ambassador for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, agreed that local businesses like this are crucial for the local economy. “It creates a community atmosphere. The more diversity we have in our community, the better we’re going to be. So having a business, like the barber shop here, in downtown Blacksburg, makes it more attractive.”

Brownstone Barber Shop is located at 301 S. Main Street next to Mellow Mushroom.

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 1 – Walk Ins Welcome: Appointmens for hair cuts can be made online or over the phone, but Brownstone invites customers to walk in for an unscheduled appointment as well. Photo: Stephen Dixon

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 1 – Patti Schrantz, co-owner of Brownstone, finishes cutting a customer’s hair before the ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo: Stephen Dixon

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 1 – Manly Atmosphere: In place of the typical countertops used in most barber shops, the barbers at Brownstone prefer toolboxes, which provide a more masculine feel for their customers. Photo: Stephen Dixon

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 1 – Eat Up: After the ribbon cutting ceremony, guests were invited to enjoy a smorgasbord of homemade food prepared by the employees. Photo: Stephen Dixon

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 1 – Mayor Fun: The Mayor of Blacksburg Ron Rordam has a little fun with the ceremonial big scizzors as he pretends to cut a customer’s hair. Photo: Stephen Dixon

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 1 – It’s Official: Brownstone Barber Shop officially announces it’s opening as Mayor Ron Rordam cuts the ribbon in front of the business. Photo: Stephen Dixon

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 1 – Small Talk: Co-owner Patti Schrantz and Mayor Ron Rordam chat in front of the shop after the ceremony. Photo: Stephen Dixon

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 1 – All Smiles: Adam Workman, an abassador for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, cannot contain his excitement for a new business to be opened in downtown Blacksburg. Photo: Stephen Dixon