Most likely it’s the ingrained business acumen of owner Albert Eiras. Or, as the investor-turned-barbershop manager explained, “We want happy customers in a family-friendly environment.”
That is why Kendall’s Miami Clippers “Gentlemen’s Barber Shop” not only offers a haircut but a shot of Jack Daniels “Black” to top it off.
Drinks in a barber shop?
“Perfectly legal. We think it’s a nice touch,” explained Eiras who checked out the legality to make sure licensing was not required to serve complimentary alcoholic beverages.
Embarked on his 10th year of the barbering business, he is not a barber himself.
“No, I don’t cut hair, that’s for my professionals,” laughed the personable ex-real estate investor who admits beginning a “second life, just as my mother, Ileana, told me I was.”
A New York native of Cuban parentage, Eiras began a Florida management career buying and selling real estate, but a turn-of-the-century economic downturn coupled with the death of his first wife, Jessica, from leukemia completely changed his livelihood and personal life.
“I sold the last of my properties to finance the barbering business that I guess you could say had a family origin from my mom, a professional cosmologist.”
With three children to raise as a single father, Eiras opened his first shop in Homestead in 2006 before expanding to a second in Kendall five years later.
Today, a grownup family includes his eldest son, Angel, 27, barbering at Homestead Clippers; a daughter, Rachel, 24, studying for a teaching career at FIU; Joel, 21, Miami-Dade College business student at the Kendall Campus. Both Angel and Joel help their father manage the business. In addition, there is Anthony, age 1, a son by his second wife, Jessica, and two grandchildren, Leyannah, 5, and Mia, 1.
Perhaps that’s why creating a family business was just the thing for a 45-year-old grandfather who created a warm ambiance with Manhattan-like decor for his Kendall shop, in contrast to a colder or eccentric look of some salons that cater to men and women.
Instead, Miami Clippers offers a spacious, brightly lit clean appearance with an earth-toned interior décor, all displaying Eiras’ business-wise thinking, with such chic touches as flat-screen TVs, black leather upholstered oversized chairs set on dark brown wood grain flooring with accents to match. There are even club memberships for added savings to a reasonably priced $15 haircut charge.
“The complimentary bar drinks are mostly popular late afternoons and evenings. Ladies generally prefer a white wine,” said Eiras whose shops stay open until 9 p.m. six days a week.
Framed letters from four area high schools (Killian, Terra, Sunset and Varela) thank his support through contributions.
“Serving the community is what our business is all about, in a family-styled atmosphere,” concluded Eiras, Miami Clippers CEO — just as it appears on his red-and-white striped business card.
Miami Clippers, located at 11770 SW 88 St., is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; telephone 305-275-9199. In Homestead, Miami Clippers is located at 1821 NE Eighth St.; telephone 786-243-3540.
