For Antwain “Kuts” Booker, it’s a matter of have scissors, will travel.
Booker, the owner of the New Element Barber, takes his 1994 Chevrolet Winnebago traveling barber shop to different areas, including Carmel, Fishers and Lawrence to provide haircuts in a luxury setting.
“It’s all positive vibes. A lot of people have never seen a mobile barber shop before,” he said. “I knew this was going to be a game-changer. The City of Indianapolis doesn’t have anything like it. There are a couple other mobile barber shops in the city, but they are not on the scale of mine. I want to give people a different experience.”
Booker started the mobile luxury service Oct. 10. The Indianapolis resident has been cutting hair for 18 years, working at five different barber shops and salons. He spent the last 10 cutting hair at home as a second job.
Booker’s mobile shop is available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays at Four Day Ray Brewing, 11671 Lantern Rd. Fishers; from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m Saturdays at 351 Monon Blvd., Carmel; from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays at 9160 Otis Ave., Lawrence; and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays at 710 E. 56th St., Broad Ripple.
The cost is $20 for children, $30 for teenagers and $60 for adults.
“With a full-service haircut, the client (21 and older) gets a cigar, a beer and a cocktail,” Booker said.
The recreational vehicle has a bathroom, hot towel warmer and two flat-screen TVs, among other amenities. Booker bought his barber chair in New York City.
“It’s a new chair, but it has the old vintage look to it,” Booker said. “It’s chrome and black and gold. The chair is the focal point of the mobile shop.”
Booker’s entrepreneurial spirit comes from his father, who worked in Oklahoma’s oil fields and eventually purchased a drilling rig company.
When he decided he wanted his own business, Booker researched the mobile barber field in other states.
“I started this whole process five years ago,” he said.
Booker’s Winnebago can seat eight, but he is only allowing four people at a time to ensure social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a more intimate setting. It’s not like a traditional barber shop,” Booker said. “Moving forward, this will be a lane-changer for other barbers. I think people feel more secure with this with COVID going on.”
For more, newelementbarber.com.
