Morris County Family-Owned Salon For Guys: Manicures, Massages, And More For Men

WHIPPANY, NJ — A new-generation salon has opened up in the area, contradicting traditional ideas of what a typical salon looks like.

A local family just opened up Morris County’s first Hammer and Nails Grooming Shop For Guys, a salon that caters to the self-care needs of men.

The Leones, of Whippany, first opened up the franchise in October of last year. Since then, they’ve seen an array of customers coming in to indulge in a service that isn’t often geared towards men.

Owned and operated by husband and wife Nick and Lisa Leone, Hammer and Nails offers a wide range of services including haircuts, manicures, massages, facials, and more.

Owner Lisa Leone said the niche concept of Hammer and Nails was something that was “missing in the area.”

“I think there’s a stereotype of ‘men don’t get their nails done,’ or ‘men don’t get their feet done,’ but the reality of it is it’s just overall care, whether you’re a male or a female. It doesn’t matter, it’s taking care of yourself,” Leone told Patch. “Maybe you’re on your feet all day, and you need a relaxing massage with your toenails clipped. It’s self-care, it’s mental relaxation. I think it does go against that stigma.”

Leone describes the salon as “less frilly” with more of a masculine, “man-cave” vibe. Customers can get the self-care they need surrounded by a dark-wood interior design while watching the game on TV or enjoying a drink from the bar.

Leone added that they didn’t open the franchise only to push against a common stigma, but to show their children the meaning of hard work and dedication. Their two teen children, 15 and 17, work alongside their parents at the salon regularly. The couple also has a six-year-old son, who isn’t as involved in the business (yet).

“We knew going into this that this was something (our kids) would be involved with, and they were okay with it,” she said. “My daughter is able to work the front desk and understand the scheduling system… She is really coming out of her shell; she’s had to step up and mature a little bit… We are very happy with the plan we put in place and how it’s unfolding.”

The couple, who were raised working in family businesses, decided to sell Nick Leone’s Clifton telecommunications company, and Lisa Leone quit her job as a teacher in Bergen County.

Lisa Leone was initially attracted to the idea of opening a men’s salon because she knew the feeling of waiting hours to get her sons’ haircuts.

“It’s a great concept, a salon for guys. Why aren’t there more of these? Women have them all over the place, but men don’t,” she said. “A problem I had was that I’d wait two hours in a barber shop, and my husband, he loved the concept, he knew it was something that was missing in this area. That’s what really drew us to it.”

The Leone’s Hammer and Nails location is at 450 NJ-10, in Whippany, and interested customers can purchase a membership online or in person.

The Leones added that they intend to open up additional locations in the coming years, so be sure to keep an eye out for more Hammer and Nails salons.