Roger Rojo, 50, enjoys coming to the men’s grooming shop Hammer & Nails in Naperville.
“They’re the only ones that can take care of my hair, take care of my beard and plus the foot massages are great,” Rojo said. He also usually gets a beer when he comes into the salon, adding to the enjoyment of his experience.
Now, he soon might be able to get a whiskey when he comes in for his haircuts.
On Thursday, Naperville’s Liquor Commission voted to recommend amending the Class M “lifestyle amenities facility” liquor license to allow for the sale and consumption of spirits under this license, a request that was made by Hammer & Nails, a grooming salon with locations across the country.
The Class M “lifestyle amenities facility” license allows only beer and wine to be sold, at a maximum of two drinks per patron. Under this amendment, spirits would be served at 1.5 ounces with a two drink limit. The amendment would also require that no alcoholic sales be made after 7 p.m.
“My clients really wanted it. A lot of men don’t just drink beer and wine and they’re coming in to relax and have time for themselves and take care of themselves,” Rebecca Lewis, owner of the Naperville location, said.
The recommendation will go to the Naperville City Council next, and they will make a final call on the amendment. Currently, only one other salon in Naperville has the Class M “lifestyle amenities facility” liquor license, according to Senior Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Bonner.
While Hammer & Nails is marketed towards men, women can also come in for a service. Patrons can also sign up for a membership with Hammer & Nails. Members can get a complimentary alcoholic beverage when they come in for their service, whereas non-members must pay for an alcoholic drink. The salon also offers free non-alcoholic drinks to both members and non-members.
“Your membership is good at any Hammer & Nails location,” Lewis said. “I’m trying to just make sure that the brand is consistent. So when you go to one location, is it the same brand you’re seeing?”
Since opening in February, the salon has become popular in Naperville, Lewis said. In less than six months, her location has reached 500 members.
“I came to see it because I wasn’t familiar with Hammer & Nails,” Liquor Commissioner Kelly Douglas said. “I was really impressed that you were abiding by only having beer and wine. And it was very clean — it was very crowded, in like a good way.”
While the commission ultimately voted in favor of the amendment, Commissioner Mitch Stauffer did raise concerns with the proposal. He was the only commissioner who voted against the amendment.
“It seems like in practice, there is more potential for abuse with spirits,” Stauffer said. “I just personally feel like this is maybe a step too far for me.”
Stauffer also expressed concern that amending this liquor license could open the door for future requests to change other liquor licenses.
Lewis emphasized to the commission that all the alcohol is locked up either at the shop or in an offsite storage facility. She also stressed that she takes her safety protocols seriously with regards to the consumption of alcohol at her business.
“What happens is, they come in, they sit down, they’re gonna get a drink on the rocks … then they’re gonna sit down at the barber station, and they run 45 minutes to an hour, is one service,” Lewis said. “No one is gonna be sitting at a bar drinking a shot … I’m not allowing that.”
More Top Picks Best Mens Watches For The Money
Hammer & Nails in Naperville is located at 790 Royal St. George Drive. The salon opened in February and services offered at the salon include haircuts, facial treatments, full head shaves, pedicures and manicures. Another Hammer & Nails location is slated to open in Geneva on Aug. 16, according to a social media post.