african american hairstylists

[ckhthankgod]

Very true phaelon, as I was stationed at Fort Drum and there is a demand for African American barbers, a Soul Food restaurant and even urban nightlife. They already have the churches and population due to Fort Drum.

[phaelon56]

I have a friend who recently moved to the Big Island of Hawaii with his wife to help her mother manage a coffee farm after his father-in-law passed away. he has to wait until he flies over to Honolulu to get a haircut and even there he's finding it difficult to find a place that knows how to properly cut African-American hair types.

I wish Syracuse had a decent soul food restaurant. I think Thomas on South Salina is "okay" but their hours aren't convenient and with their location they aren't likely to do much business from outside the neighborhood. I was underwhelmed by take-out from Southern Flavor downtown and Ruby's - further out on South Salina - never seems to be open when I go by. With the right food, location and marketing I think a good soul food restaurant could succeed in Syracuse.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by phaelon56

I have a friend who recently moved to the Big Island of Hawaii with his wife to help her mother manage a coffee farm after his father-in-law passed away. he has to wait until he flies over to Honolulu to get a haircut and even there he's finding it difficult to find a place that knows how to properly cut African-American hair types.

I wish Syracuse had a decent soul food restaurant. I think Thomas on South Salina is "okay" but their hours aren't convenient and with their location they aren't likely to do much business from outside the neighborhood. I was underwhelmed by take-out from Southern Flavor downtown and Ruby's - further out on South Salina - never seems to be open when I go by. With the right food, location and marketing I think a good soul food restaurant could succeed in Syracuse.

True..... I wonder if the old market on Colvin near Comstock would be a good location due to SU being close by and it is still accessable to the East and South sides of town. It is somewhat close to I-81 too.

[phaelon56]

Ah yes - the old Azria's grocery. That building has been vacant seemingly forever (I'm guessing at least 30 years if not more.) It really woudl be a good location for the right food business - especially if they offered delivery to the South Campus Housing and the SU dorms. I think parking might be a problem if they wanted to do a sit-down place. IMO the challenge with a good soul food restaurant in Syracuse finding the right location and having local capitalization for the project . Back when we had the short-lived "House of Soul" on Hawley (where Laci's Tapas Bar is now) the money for that project came from Utica.

I also think the ancient dry-cleaners building on East Fayette (across from the Sparks Art Gallery next to Omani's Hotdog stand) would be ideal. I actually wanted to acquire that to someday build a place serving killer espresso/coffee drinks, gelato and wood fired pizza but the building and small lot was sold a few years back to a parking lot development group for $160,000. I think we know what the future holds for that building....

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by phaelon56

Ah yes - the old Azria's grocery. That building has been vacant seemingly forever (I'm guessing at least 30 years if not more.) It really woudl be a good location for the right food business - especially if they offered delivery to the South Campus Housing and the SU dorms. I think parking might be a problem if they wanted to do a sit-down place. IMO the challenge with a good soul food restaurant in Syracuse finding the right location and having local capitalization for the project . Back when we had the short-lived "House of Soul" on Hawley (where Laci's Tapas Bar is now) the money for that project came from Utica.

I also think the ancient dry-cleaners building on East Fayette (across from the Sparks Art Gallery next to Omani's Hotdog stand) would be ideal. I actually wanted to acquire that to someday build a place serving killer espresso/coffee drinks, gelato and wood fired pizza but the building and small lot was sold a few years back to a parking lot development group for $160,000. I think we know what the future holds for that building....

That would be a great location and you could get business from a diverse group of people.

[phaelon56]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

That would be a great location and you could get business from a diverse group of people.

Agreed. And I could even broaden my existing planned niche with some soul food take-out. I don't know if you ever got take-out from Rhon-Jay's (at Columbus and East Fayette where Diva's Jamaican food is now located) but she closed mostly due to her business partner being less committed than she was to putting all the profits back into growth. She still does some under the radar stuff from home (she did the mac 'n cheese and greens for my recent family get-together) and I know she'd love to get back in the game.

The real challenge is my hesitation to leave a day job I enjoy that has good benefits and jump into the unknown void of small business ownership. At my age I have trouble convincing myself that it's worth the risk. I do think I coudl really make such a business workk and work well at that location but if it sold for $160K a couple of years ago they probably wouldn't take less than $200 - $250 K today - what with the new development that is happening around there.

[SouthernBelleNY]

Do you know about what on average she charges for braids?

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

There are quite a few in Syracuse. Try Madears Total Image at 1905 South Avenue. Has a very good reputation. Collins at 309 Crouse Ave. is another one that is a Barber and Beauty Salon. My father was a part time barber there for 20 years. It's a husband and wife owned establishment. Jackson's Coiffure at 517 South Ave. and Tayshi Beauty Salon at 711 South Geddes are two more I know of. For braids, Sophie's African Hair Braiding at 600 N. Salina St. is a place to go to. If there are more, I'll put them up there for you, if necessary.

By the way, where in SC are you from? My mother is originally from Mullins and a lot of the people in the Black community here have a connection to that part of the state with people I've met from Andrews, Dillon, Latta, Lake City and some others. I also was stationed at Fort Drum from 2000-2003. So, I'm familiar with that area as well.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleNY

Do you know about what on average she charges for braids?

I'm not sure, but I did find this: Sophie's African Hair Braiding

You can see what these places charge too: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&gs...e&ved=0CAUQtgM

[diamond113601c]

Does anyone know who can help me?? I have a bald spot in the top of my head, thinning hair, so bad I always wear a wig or a baseball cap. Would really be helpful if there were someone in the Watertown area. Thanks for any ideas you may have. Margo