Quality Cutz, the Island's newest barber shop on Fagan's Alley in Hamilton, is offering customers a little more than the traditional trim and shave.

"This is not your neighbourhood barber shop," says its owner Jamion Simmons, a sharply-dressed marketing assistant and first-time entrepreneur.

His first business idea was not a barber shop at all, but rather to import high-end male apparel. Soon market research had turned him in another direction.

"We wanted to open up a barber shop with a little more style, and a little more class," says Mr. Simmons. Quality Cutz, which has three highly-experienced barbers (each with at least ten years in the trade), opened in April. Customers can choose from a variety of haircuts – including the signature 'Metropolitan Cut'.

Yet, with one eye still on the fashion world, Mr. Simmons decided to add another element to the business. In addition to hair cuts, the business now sells men's apparel from designers like Ed Hardy and Andrew Christian.

To run the day-to-day operations of the barber shop, Mr. Simmons turned to Randy Spence. Mr. Spence, whose uncle is well-known North Shore barber Ricky Spence, is a small business owner himself as boss of Miles 2 Go Towing.

Mr. Simmons, whose enterprise Metropolitan Assets owns the business, has set his ambitions even higher. "We may open a separate men's clothing store in the future," he says, with a recent fashion show proving a great success.

"The event proved to us we could get big, so I'm very optimistic."

For more information or to make an appointment – call 336-7755 or visit www.metropolitanbda.com