Shears and Gears revs up hairstyles
With motorcycle grips as coat-hangers, jet-black leather couches and a big motorcycle wheel as a clock, it’s clear that someone with a passion for motorbikes designed Shears and Gears barbershop in Ledyard.
The theme, designed by owner Bryan Hayes, actually points to his other business, Hayes Custom Cycles. The business, which he opened 16 years ago, does customization, detailing and other services.
A year-and-a-half after he opened in the former showroom of Hayes’ Center Dr. location, Shears and Gears has found a strong customer base in town center. Hayes said he decided to open the barbershop shop when he couldn’t find a place in the area to take his kids. The town had one barbershop, run by Butch Noyes, which operated in Ledyard Center for two decades, but when he left there was no one to replace him.
“I want it to be kid- and family-friendly,” Hayes said as he envisioned the shop. “Kids love motorcycles.”
He says he’s “kind of hit it at the right time” with his businesses: opening his motorcycle shop just before the show American Chopper aired, and then opening Shears and Gears around the same time as Cedric’s Barber Battle.
Having no experience cutting hair or running a barbershop, Hayes researched the concept before spending several months overhauling his former showroom. He added a huge graffiti mural with the Shears and Gears logo on the back wall, textured sheet metal designs and a big TV.
“(Kids) think it’s the coolest thing,” said Holly Bacon, who works at the shop.
“I’ve been to barbershops, and some places you’re just sitting in horrible uncomfortable chairs so I went with black leather recliners, and you know what? People love them ... sometimes you have to wait for a good barber,” he said.
He also waited until he could hire some good barbers — finding staff members Chris Frye, Holly Bacon and Lee Reynolds at other area businesses.
Frye says they typically cut hair on about 40 people a day and it picks up on weekends. He and Hayes said they’re looking forward to seeing more customers check out the shop. “(We’ll) just keep going and just doing what we’re doing ... and hopefully have two good businesses,” Hayes said.
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