April Brothers and Wisam Kobaissi took over the business and changed the name after previous owner Gus Gordon retired. The barbershop was previously called Cappelliera’s Barber Salon, and it operated from 2018 until the beginning of 2022.
“Wisam and I were working here at the time, and we just loved the shop,” Brothers said. “So we decided, ‘Let’s just take over the shop,’ and we did. ... And then we renovated.”
Located on Hero Way West, the space has a history of being a barbershop. Before Cappelliera’s, it was called 3 Kings Barber Shop, which had a different owner.
Brothers and Kobaissi have plans to keep the barbershop operating. In the future, they hope to expand, adding locations in Georgetown and Liberty Hill.
At The Lounge Barber, customers can receive a range of services including haircuts; straight-razor shaves; kids cuts; hair coloring; beard trims; waxing; facials; and highlights, coloring and deep conditioning for women. Clients can also enjoy a beer on tap from Whitestone Brewery for free with their service.
Since opening last January, the barbershop has grown a lot and retained most of its previous clientele, Brothers said. She said Kobaissi is behind the shop’s growth as one of the best barbers in the area with more than 25 years of experience.
“Our shop has grown tremendously from Wisam retaining a lot of the clientele and people just wanting to come back because he gives such a great service,” Brothers said. “All of us, we want to make sure everyone is happy when they walk out that door—if they’re not happy, I don’t want them walking out my door until they are happy.”
Brothers said there are still obstacles, however, with transitioning the shop’s signage and website information from Cappelliera’s to The Lounge Barber. After operating under a new name for a little over a year now, the barbershop is still branded as Cappelliera’s in a few places.
In the past, The Lounge Barber has offered free services and haircuts for kids during back-to-school time. Cancer patients are also never charged for a service. Brothers said she wants to continue giving back in this way.
The focus this year, Brothers said, is getting the shop fully staffed, establishing more clientele and attending more community events. She said keeping clients happy is still a major goal.
“We’re all about our clients, and we want to do excellent haircuts,” Brothers said. “We want them to come here and get the best haircut experience, and we want them just to be happy.”
Parts of a facial
Facials begin in the shampoo area with a hot towel. Here is the step-by-step process of a men’s facial:
1. A steam machine mists the face to open pores.
2. A scrump is applied onto the face to exfoliate dead skin.
3. The hot towel is reapplied to remove residue.
4. The client receives a facial massage with moisturizer.
5. Toner is applied onto the fact, followed by a vitamin C serum.
6. Blackheads are extracted on the nose with a strip, if necessary.
7. Moisturizer is applied again.
The Lounge Barber
11699 Hero Way W., Ste. 120, Leander
737-757-2050
www.theloungebarber.com
Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sun.-Mon.
