Barber's Blueprint

Husband and wife Alena and Arthur, along with business partner George, decided to do the unthinkable: open an affordable yet modish salon in Soho. The trio, barbers and colorists for more than seven years, was sick of the exorbitant salon prices in this faltering economy. “We scouted the area and couldn't find a place that offered cuts or styling for less than $80,” Alena says. “People are charging $80 for a five-minute man's haircut, that seems ridiculous to me,” she adds. So the solution was to open their own place. With exposed brick, black crystal chandeliers and Moroccan curtains, the space is part upscale salon, part homey neighborhood barbershop. Men can drop by for a cut ($20) or kick back with a complimentary glass of wine and the 45-minute old-fashioned Blueprint signature shave ($42), which utilizes Israeli razors and hot towels for super-smooth results.