High-end Detroit barbershop closes after 5 months

A new high-end barbershop in Midtown Detroit that offered $40 haircuts and $50 shaves has closed after five months.

The windows of Fellow Barber, 441 W. Canfield St., next to the flagship Shinola store, were papered over Wednesday night with a sign announcing the sudden closure.

The sign specifies the recent change in ownership of the West Canfield building as the reason for the closing. The building was purchased this spring by Shinola and musician Jack White.

Fellow Barber offered more details in a press release that said the shop is moving out to make way for a Shinola expansion.

Specifically, Shinola is preparing to relocate its Willys Detroit, a sister store that sells upscale apparel, from its current storefront in the building into Fellow Barber's space.

The current Willys space will become Third Man Shop, a joint venture between Shinola and Jack White that is scheduled to open in late November.

A Brooklyn, N.Y.-based chain, Fellow Barber arrived in Detroit in February to much excitement and celebration.

It was the company's fifth location and the first outside of New York City or San Francisco. The shop's unique interior featured 1960s barber chairs and reclaimed wood from a downtown Detroit building.

And Fellow Barber introduced a new price point for men's haircuts in the city: $40, not including tip.

Business appeared to be picking up in recent months, particularly since the April opening of nearby Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria and Brewery. However, a craft cocktail lounge that was to open this summer on the barbershop's second floor never came to fruition.

"We love Detroit and we were glad to be a part of this burgeoning area of the city while we were here, but we are also glad for Shinola and their growth and acquisition of the building we share with them," Sam Buffa, co-founded of Fellow Barber, said in a statement.

The press release said that Shinola and Fellow Barber "came to an agreement that was mutually beneficial."

Fellow Barber's website describes the Detroit closing as permanent.

The Michigan Liquor Control Commission last month approved Fellow Barber's liquor license application for the once-planned cocktail lounge. A Shinola spokeswoman said it hasn't been determined whether Willys will use that license.

Sue Mosey, president of Midtown Detroit Inc., said Fellow Barber did receive a facade grant from her organization to spruce up its shop on West Canfield.

"It will continue to be utilized with the Willys store that will be going in, so no issue there as far as we're concerned," Mosey said. "We're sorry to see the business go, but we also appreciate the fact that a new home needs to be found for the Willys store."

Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JCReindl.