Skip to content

A cut above: Sport Clips opens new Orillia location (4 photos)

'Kids love sitting in here while the hockey games are on. Guys love it, too, because our stylists are all professionals,' says owner of new Orillia shop

You can now get your hair cut in Orillia while watching the big game on the big screen in a stadium-like atmosphere.

The 50th Sport Clips location opened its doors in the 30 Diana Dr. plaza about 10 days ago. The barbershop gives men and boys an option apart from salons that are primarily geared toward female customers.

“Here they can kind of feel like they are at the gym,” said Neil Bissa, who owns the shop with his wife, Reva.

The shop is equipped with stadium-like lighting, lockers, televisions, and sports paraphernalia. Bissa says Orillia was the perfect place for the franchise to open a new location.

“Sport Clips as a company has always been community-focused,” Bissa said. “If you take a look at all of the locations across North America, they are in communities that are close and tight-knit.”

Bissa, who is from Caledon, says his goal is to make Sport Clips an integral part of the community as opposed to being just another store.

“We are already taking part in many activities in the community,” he said. “We want to be a staple.”

After doing market studies, Bissa says Sport Clips determined there is a huge need for a men’s barbershop in Orillia.

“We’ve been hearing it loud and clear from customers,” he said. “We’ve been hearing that this store was needed here.”

Since opening a week and a half ago, Sport Clips has received nothing but positive feedback, he said.

“People love the concept,” he said. “Kids love sitting in here while the hockey games are on. Guys love it, too, because our stylists are all professionals who have been doing this for a long time.”

What separates Sport Clips from other spots in town, he explained, is their MVP package that includes a precision haircut, a hot steamed towel on the face, a scalp massage and shampoo, a neck and shoulder massage, and a clean-up within 30 minutes.

“People love the fact that they get a chance to relax,” Bissa said. “I’ve had customers come to me and say that they needed that.”  

The goal for the business is to grow with the Orillia community.

“Right now, it’s one store,” he said. “As the community develops in Orillia we would love to put another store here.”

Bissa says Sport Clips would like to expand further in Simcoe County.

“We have customers coming from Gravenhurst, Midland, and even Beaverton,” he said. “Our goal is to expand our network of stores into nothern Simcoe County.”


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.




Tyler Evans

About the Author: Tyler Evans

Tyler Evans got his start in the news business when he was just 15-years-old and now serves as a video producer and reporter with OrilliaMatters
Read more