Moore got inspiration for his salon’s catchy name from the pop-art movement, which first started in the 1950s.
“I always liked the colorfulness of pop art [and artists] like Warhol and especially Roy Lichtenstein that I decided to go with that sort of theme for my space,” said Moore.
Moore first got into the hair industry in 1992 when he moved to Chicago and has been in working in it ever since.
“I’ve always wanted to own my own salon. Last year I was let go from a place where I was making pretty good money and couldn’t find a good fit anywhere,” said Moore.
Pop Hair, which first opened its door Valentine’s Day 2012, was once a barber shop.
“I was at Taste of Heaven on [a] cold afternoon in January, when I look over [and] see a ‘For Rent’ sign on this existing barber shop. I had my eye on [it] for a while,” said Moore.
Moore had never owned his own business—much less a hair salon—before, and was afraid of the unknown.
“I was scared that the neighborhood wouldn’t embrace me, and I would be left broke,” said Moore.
Moore knew that he needed to find a home for his existing clients, as well as a place to build up new clientele. He put his fears of starting a new business aside and plunged in head first.
Pop Hair serves both men and women clients. Moore does everything from cut to color.
“I specialize in straight edge-razor cutting and natural sun-kissed highlights as men’s clipper cutting. I lived on the West Coast for [some] time, and my color inspiration comes from the sun-kissed hair of California,” said Moore.
Men’s haircuts run around $25, while a women’s haircut costs $40 and an all-over color starts at $60.
Moore wanted to come up with a unique way to attract new clients to his salon. He enlisted the help of Graunk Enzenberger, one of the owners of a local design firm called Orange Skin, who came up with the brilliant idea of painting a simple smiley face on the salon’s wall.
“It has been the best form of advertising I have yet to have. The smiley face is what draws so many people in. You can see it from Clark Street,” said Moore.
Next time you want to try a new hair salon and you’re in the Andersonville area, just look for the big smiley sign and chances are you’ll end up at Pop Hair.
THE STATS
Age
44
Neighborhood
Andersonville
Job title
Owner of Pop Hair
Current studies
DePaul University, working on BA in sociology.
Relationship status
Single
Favorite junk food
Potato chips
Favorite local restaurant
Calo
Favorite soft drink
Diet Coke
Photos by Andrew Davis