Men’s hair salon on 86th relaunches under new ownership

4:59 Barber Lounge, a high-end men’s hair salon and spa across from Keystone at the Crossing, is back in business.

Located at 3407 E. 86th St., 4:59 offers décor and atmosphere designed to make men feel relaxed and comfortable while they’re being groomed. Recent issues of GQ, Esquire and Maxim magazines await visitors in its waiting area. Flat-screen televisions are switched on in front of every barber chair. Clients are offered beer along with each haircut, massage, shave or shoeshine.

Six weeks ago, previous owner Wild-Blu Development Inc. closed 4:59’s doors. Since then, Donna Shoup, owner of the Atomik Designs women’s hair salon next door, bought 4:59 along with her husband, Mike. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The salon has had a "soft" reopening, e-mailing the businesses’ approximately 2,000 previous customers with an offer for 20 percent off any service. 4:59 has also permanently reduced its prices. The charge for haircuts, formerly $30, has been discounted to $25. Further discounts are available for customers who buy more than one service.

"It was a little overpriced when it closed," Donna Shoup said. "It’s just a really great ‘man’ space. And [we have] the same staff, same services, only more economically priced."

Donna Shoup said 4:59 will honor any gift cards left over from the previous ownership. 4:59 is planning a formal relaunch in May. The small business has the same 12 employees as before, but Mike Hennegan has been promoted to become its manager.

4:59 is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Its Web site is www.459online. com and its phone number is 257-4599.