It’s often difficult for men to find the perfect place to get their hair cut. Salons can be geared towards women while also being expensive for what you’re getting. This leaves barber shops and a plethora of chain stores, both of which are not ideal for a multitude of reasons. Guys want a comfortable place where they can relax and get a great haircut without all the fuss.
Hunter Brae provides all this and more.
Located in the Stonecrest Shopping Center on the outskirts of Tega Cay, Hunter Brae was opened by Rex Faile in February, 2021 during the height of Covid. He admits it wasn’t the best time to open a business, considering the lockdowns and mask mandates, but laughed and said, “they can’t keep us down forever.”
“They” certainly didn’t. Two years later, Rex and his staff are managing a thriving business that caters to men and boys who want to not only get their haircut, but get it done right, based on their preferences.
By listening to the customer during their pre-cut consultation, the staff takes the time to understand what the guest truly wants. This includes a sufficient amount of time allocated to the haircut of your choice, which usually takes anywhere from :45 minutes to an hour. “You can go anywhere and just get a haircut, we want a place you can call home,” said Rex.
Featuring a clean, calm environment, the shop is bustling with upbeat music and great conversation. “I spend my day here all day everyday, so I try to create a comfortable environment for my guests,” says Rex.
With the ability to book an appointment online, you can walk right in with no wait time. If you want to get there a few minutes early, enjoy a complimentary snack and beverage of your choice, including a selection of complimentary cocktails.
Rex, along with fellow stylists Fiona Gavoci and Sabrina Jefferson, live by one simple motto: “When people come first, success follows.” This is a mission statement made famous by Paul Mitchell and it’s one the team believes in and puts into practice on a daily basis.
A third generation barber, Rex started out working for Paul Mitchell as a design team leader. For years,he’d traverse the country and train students on the proper way to cut hair. In addition, he was an active participant in hair shows, providing instruction for audiences from Orlando to Vegas and parts in between.
His reputation for doing quality work provided him with a unique opportunity when Hollywood came calling. He would eventually be hired to cut and style mens hair in the feature film, Hunger Games. Several of his students continued down this path and still work in the film industry today.
With a young son at home, Rex wanted to stop traveling and saw a need for a mens focused hair salon in Tega Cay/Fort Mill. “Whenever I first started, I always wanted to own my own business.” Nothing was meeting his standard in the area so he figured, “why not, let’s do it.”
Fiona’s career path was a bit different. She started in bridal work after school but wanted to expand her knowledge and do other things. She eventually found enjoyment in cutting children’s hair and realized the Dad’s were “usually in tow,” so she pushed herself to work on mens hair as well.
Fiona enjoys the relationships with her guests and wants them to “feel confident enough to not only trust me with their haircut but be able to share personal things with me.” She went on to say, “Customers really become your friends, honestly.”
Sabrina is the newest member of the team. At 27 years old, she’s excited to have found a career she’s passionate about at a young age. She enjoys her job and getting to know people on a daily basis. As Sabrina puts it, “I love knowledge and this industry is always changing, giving me the opportunity to frequently learn new skills.”
Rex is incredibly thankful for the support he’s received from the community and the people he’s come in contact with over the years, “I’ve met some of the most incredible people, probably ever, in that chair.”
When people come first, success follows.
In the case of Hunter Brae, it couldn’t be more true.
