Customer Lance Berg walked into Cappelliera’s Barber Salon in Leander and gave the shop’s co-owners Gus Gordon and Josh Benitez each a handshake/bro-hug combination as he went to get his head shaved.

After opening in March, Cappelliera’s is in its infant stages as a business, but the barber shop has already worked to cultivate friendships.

“You think about the old shops back in the day; your barber was your mentor, your friend, active in the community and a lot of things outside of just cutting your hair,” Gordon said. “That’s the kind of feel we try to bring to people [who] come in here.”

The shop has worked to become part of the community, with football helmets from three Leander ISD schools adorning the wall along with a hat rack with hats from local business. Gordon said he has worked with the VFW, the Leander Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations for fundraisers and other events.

Cappelliera’s employs two barbers and Gordon said as the company grows, there are some intangibles he will continue to look for in new barbers to help the current shop and keep the same vibe going.

“A lot of people in the barber industry align their goals with money,” Gordon said. “Money is a secondary thing that comes with providing a great service.”

In addition to haircuts, Cappelliera’s offers straight shaves, hair coloring, ear and nose wax services and shampoos.

The small shop already has long-term plans.

“We’re already looking for a second location,” Gordon said. “We’d like each barber [who] comes though the ranks [to] open their own Cappelliera’s.”

Cappelliera’s Barber Salon 11600 Hero Way W., Ste. 120, Leander 737-757-2050 www.cappmensalon.com [email protected] www.facebook.com/cappmensalon Hours: Mon. and Tue., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu.-Sat., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.