Lucky's offers shaves, haircuts and hangout

Men who want to get a shave and haircut, drink a beer and just be men can now escape to Lucky's Barbershop and Men's Club in Folsom."This is a place for men to come hang out," said Aaron Ralls, 32, owner and operator. "It was created by men, for men."He said children and women are welcome, but there will be a lot of car and motorcycle talk in the shop.The barbershop is located in the Folsom Lake Bowl Family Fun Center facility. The shop opened in November 2010."I opened at FLB because it was a good central location," Ralls said. "We cross promote our customers."Ralls said the barbershop specializes in a variety of techniques specific for men's hair.Techniques include a skin taper technique on the back of the neck rather than a straight line shave, a line-up technique to give crisp lines around the haircut and a straight razor shave with a steam towel and shaving cream.All four barbers working at Lucky's are licensed, skilled and trained to use a straight razor, said Ralls.Chris Whitaker, 30, is working as an apprentice at the shop."The first time I got a haircut from Aaron, it was the best haircut I'd ever received," Whitaker said. "Then I told him I wanted a change from my old job and he thought I would be a good fit here."Ralls said the ideal barber is someone with skill and an upbeat, social personality."The shop was appealing to me because it is a men's club," Whitaker said. "This is a barbershop with guys who trained to do this and it's a great place to network."Ralls said he always works to know each customer personally and helps network them with other people. He said he makes it a point to know everyone's name and business.Ralls said because of the shop's popularity, he started a men's club for his regular customers. For $55 a month, men can receive weekly haircuts."I'm really into the old style of things when men were men," Ralls said. "This is a place catered to men. Men can even bring their beer in from the bar (at FLB Sports Bar and Casino) and get a shave and a haircut."While the barbershop caters to men, Ralls said it can also be a family place. Many times dads will bring their sons to the shop for haircuts."We are not just a barbershop, we want to be mentors," he said. "We want to make the community better. We don't want there to be a lot of cussing, we want it to be a comfortable place for men of all ages."While designing the shop, Ralls took his time to make it as vintage and comfortable as possible."I sold my baby, my Harley Davidson, to open this shop," he said. "I wanted it to look vintage with real custom built wooden cabinets, granite slab countertops and six vintage barber chairs."Ralls, a Folsom High School graduate, grew up in Folsom and said he is happy to have his new job in his hometown."I married my Folsom High School sweetheart and we have been married for 19 years," Ralls said.The couple has three children ranging in ages from 5 to 10.Before finding his passion in the barbershop, Ralls worked as a sergeant at California State Prison, Sacramento, in Folsom for seven years.To transition into the barbering world, he went through one and a half years of barber schooling.Now, Lucky's is his second home."I love it," he said. "I only take one day off a week. … No one will leave without a good haircut. It's not just a haircut, it's an experience."* * *BEST BARBER SHOPWinner: Lucky's Barbershop and Men's ClubWhere: 511 East Bidwell St., FolsomPhone: (916) 983-4411 ext. 26Online: luckysmensclub.com