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| Donnell Watkins, owner of Distinguished Cuts, at his ribbon-cutting celebration. |
Donnell Watkins had a couple of surprises up his sleeve when friends and colleagues joined him at the ribbon-cutting at his business, Distinguished Cuts, this past Friday.
Watkins moved his three-year old barbershop to a new location earlier this year. In many ways, the move is a significant one for Watkins. The new location is almost twice as big as his former barber shop. It also features brand-new fixtures and posh-looking stations for his stylists. The new space will also allow Watkins to offer additional services, transforming the business from a simple barbershop to a full-service spa, a longtime goal for Watkins. “We say it’s men’s heaven and a women’s paradise,” Watkins explained at the ribbon-cutting celebration Friday.
After the ribbon was cut, Watkins lead the crowd inside for refreshments and a grand tour, which included a peek at his brand-new massage therapy room. The room was quiet and serene, with low, warm lighting to complement the experience. Unlike other salons which are able to offer only brief chair massages, Watkins's clients will be able to relax on a full-size professional massage therapy table, he said.
He also unveiled a new line of hats, emblazoned with the word, "Distinguished." He will sell these hats at the salon.
Distinguished Cuts also offers manicures, pedicures, and full salon services for both men and women.
It's been important to Watkins to create a family-friendly spa, one where men and women can feel comfortable, and bring their children. At Friday's ceremony, Watkins's own family helped him celebrate his successes. His grandparents traveled all the way from Brooklyn to stand beside him at this important occasion, and Watkins was visibly moved by the outpouring of support from friends and associates.
Watkins is a graduate of Austin's School of Spa Technology, and school staff, including Assistant Director for Student Services Jill Harris-Johnson, joined him at the emotional ribbon-cutting. "There would be no us without you," Watkins told them afterwards.
Here are pictures of the ribbon-cutting event.
He also unveiled a new line of hats, emblazoned with the word, "Distinguished." He will sell these hats at the salon.
Distinguished Cuts also offers manicures, pedicures, and full salon services for both men and women.
It's been important to Watkins to create a family-friendly spa, one where men and women can feel comfortable, and bring their children. At Friday's ceremony, Watkins's own family helped him celebrate his successes. His grandparents traveled all the way from Brooklyn to stand beside him at this important occasion, and Watkins was visibly moved by the outpouring of support from friends and associates.
Watkins is a graduate of Austin's School of Spa Technology, and school staff, including Assistant Director for Student Services Jill Harris-Johnson, joined him at the emotional ribbon-cutting. "There would be no us without you," Watkins told them afterwards.
Here are pictures of the ribbon-cutting event.
The move was a major turning point for Watkins. The new space, a former clothing store, had to be completely remodeled before Waktins could move in. And, he says, it just didn’t feel like home until he put up his new sign and park bench out front. Now, he and his fellow stylists are ready to invite the public in, to “get distinguished.”
Distinguished Cuts is located at 255 Central Avenue in Albany. For more information, visit the website www.distinguishedcutsalbany.com
