October 23, 2024 — Downtown Lexington is the place to be, it seems. At least in recent years.
The town’s Main Street corridor has continued to grow, adding a host of new restaurants, bars, boutiques and other attractions, with more on the way. And much of the action seems to swirl around the town of Lexington’s Icehouse Amphitheater, which draws thousands downtown every year with a slate of concerts, movies, markets and more.
And now, just as the downtown core’s momentum seems to be kicking into overdrive, there’s a new spot to help folks keep their hair looking sharp.
Circa Barbershop, founded in Columbia in 2014 and having grown to include several locations across the Midlands and in other parts of South Carolina, opened a new shop on Oct. 1 at 101-B E. Main St. The shop is located behind Craig Reagin Clothiers and Craft Axe Throwing, directly across the parking lot from Cribb’s Sandwich & Sweet Shop. The Icehouse Amphitheater is just to the west, across Church Street. Craig Reagin Clothiers owns the building at 101 E. Main.
Halie Holland is the owner/operator of the Lexington Circa. The 28-year-old has been working with Circa for five years, and has plied her trade at several of the company’s locations. Circa’s model when opening new shops is to partner with barbers who have been working with them, and Holland said she was ready to run her own spot.
“It’s definitely a big leap, but I’m thankful I have my whole team,” Holland told The State. “The way Circa operates, you have a whole team behind you and you are never on your own. We have a shop family and all work together.”
The new East Main Street shop will eventually employ four barbers, Holland said, with an additional barber on rotation. The shop had two barbers at the time of its Oct. 1 launch. Those looking for a haircut are encouraged to make a reservation via the Circa website.
Circa has locations in the Columbia area on Main Street, Sumter Street and in Forest Acres. It also has spots in Greenville, Travelers Rest, Charleston and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
DR Granger is the founder of Circa Barbershop and can often be found cutting customers’ hair the company’s Main Street Columbia location. He said Circa has had its eyes on a possible Lexington shop for nearly two years, and had been looking for just the right spot.
“Halie has been with the team for a long time and we have really been looking for the right spot to partner with her on,” Granger said during a chat with The State . “We felt like this was close enough to Columbia to be within arm’s reach of her [existing] clientele, but also giving her enough freedom to impact a new city. We have a ton of amazing clients in Lexington. Those clients have spoken through the years so highly of Lexington and the community.”
Those visiting the Lexington Circa will have the opportunity to easily do a bit of shopping, as well. When you step into the door leading to the barbershop, to the right there is an additional entrance to Craig Reagin Clothiers, the men’s clothing shop next door. It’s a similar arrangement to the one Circa has on Columbia’s Main Street, where the shop sits alongside the clothing store Granger Owings.
Holland said the new Circa’s proximity to the men’s shop is a good fit.
“I feel like upscale men’s grooming and upscale men’s clothing go hand-in-hand,” Holland noted. “You can look your best from head to toe.”
Chapin Commercial Construction renovated the entire 2,300-square-foot lower floor at 101 E. Main St. as part of the Circa project. Aside from the barbershop, the basement level also has offices for Craig Reagin, along with storage and kitchen space. The building at 101 E. Main St. dates to 1919, and has long been a cornerstone at the nexus of Main and Church streets.
“As lifelong Midlands-area residents, being part of the revitalization of downtown Lexington is incredibly rewarding for us,” Chapin Commercial Construction founder Chad Lindler said in a statement. “Renovating a historic building like this presents unique challenges, but it’s those challenges that make the process very fulfilling.”
The Circa opening is among a spurt of recent activity and announcements along the Lexington Main Street corridor. For instance, Latin and Asian restaurant TakoSushi opened in September at 102-C W. Main St., and a Voodoo Brewing location is planned next door to the TakoSushi. Meanwhile, a trio of restaurateurs — Steve Cook, Joe Walker III and Ryan Jones — have announced they are opening a modern steakhouse at 101 W. Main St., in the former Alodia’s space.
Article By Chris Trainor, The State