The Pandemic Couldn't Take Down Glen Rock's Stag House Barbershop

GLEN ROCK, NJ — The coronavirus pandemic wasn't kind to barbershops and salons, but, somehow, Christine Modica and Rachel Israel found success anyway.

Modica and Israel are the co-founders of Stag House and Mane Loft at Stag House. Currently based in Glen Rock, the duo are on the eve of a move to a new space that will better fit the needs of their business, something they couldn't be more excited about even as COVID-19 continues to impact New Jersey.

Operations will end at the Glen Rock location Thursday, with an opening scheduled for April 24 at a new location down the road in Saddle River. The expansion allows for the business to continue developing barber and salon services, and will also increase capacity while maintaining COVID protocols.

"While so many businesses in our industry did not survive the pandemic, we are lucky to have this opportunity to better translate our business design while providing more hours to our team and clients," said Modica. "Expanding into two buildings will allow us to more than double our current capacity under COVID-19 mandates."

The new space in Saddle River, located at 67 E. Allendale Rd., offers more space and better fits the needs of Stag House and Mane Loft, which will be branded as separate businesses moving forward.

Stag House closed on March 17 and reopened in June 2020 with strict health and safety protocols. Temperature checks and waivers are required to enter, and Stag House even offers one-on-one hours if requested.

To date, no staff member has tested positive, and no coronavirus case has been linked back to the barbershop, a Stag House spokesperson told Patch.

Two barbers, Gwen Roos and Kevin Modica, have been promoted to help run operations at the new location, which will feature a 1,000 sq. ft. barbershop and 1,800 sq. ft. salon, according to a spokesperson.

"As construction begins, we are thrilled to showcase our unique style and community outreach to Saddle River, while also growing deeper into Bergen County," said Israel.

Through a year of unexpected adjustments, Modica and Israel are finally able to share one they planned.

"Thank you to our loyal guests for believing in us and cheering us on throughout everything – we can’t wait to show you all our new home in the woods," said Modica.

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