Hudson Hawk to open third location

Hudson Hawk Barber & Shop co-owners Thad Forrester and Paul Catlett leased space on Springfield's east side for the company's third location, about five months into its second year of operation.

The business partners are shooting for an early September opening at 2938 E. Sunshine St., a 400-square-foot space formerly home to Hog and Sauce, Forrester said. The duo opened their second barbershop March 3 at the mixed-use, south-side development Farmers Park. Veteran stylist Catlett, owner of Studio 417 Salon, and newcomer barber Forrester opened the original downtown Hudson Hawk at 438 W. McDaniel St., Ste. A, in April 2013.

Declining to disclose first-year revenue, Forrester said Hudson Hawk has benefited from its relationship with Studio 417. The east-side location will be the first free-standing Hudson Hawk.

"The brand and the experience that we provide has been very well received in Springfield. It's been very critical to not grow too fast, but to also strike while the iron's hot," Forrester said. "Our philosophy is if we ever notice that the customer experience is diminishing in any way ... that's when it's time to slow down."

The East Sunshine store will be similar in style to Hudson Hawk's other two locations - including old-school barber chairs, tile floors and mounted vintage chainsaws - with a slightly smaller retail presence because of space constraints, Forrester said. He noted the new store would still offer items for sale such as pomade, shaving cream, aftershave and T-shirts via downtown neighbor Five Pound Apparel LLC.

Four of Hudson Hawk's 19 employees would staff the new location leased from the Wooten Co. for five years at an undisclosed rate. The stand-alone building is in the Southern Hills Shopping Center parking lot.

Forrester said Hudson Hawk could open more locations in the future, but no plans are concrete at this time.

"Hudson Hawk's not done growing," he said. "We want to grow the brand and we're confident in the talent we have."[[In-content Ad]]