For Theo Challouf, Premier Hair Replacement’s West Park location began with a client in his barber chair, a vacant former law office next door and one simple question: “Can I go check it out?”
The client had mentioned he was trying to rent the space, and Challouf asked to see it. He had already been working with hair systems for about six years at West Park Barber when he recognized the possibility of creating a dedicated business there.
“When I walked in there, I was like, you know what? That could be a business that I hopefully open one day,” Challouf said.
Although the grand opening came later, Challouf said the space began operating in April. Today, Premier Hair Replacement sits beneath Kamm’s Corners’ iconic clock—and Challouf said he is working on a project to bring the landmark back to life.
The new storefront represents a continuation of Challouf’s longstanding connection to West Park. He has worked with Patrick Burke and the West Park Barber family for about six years, initially providing hair-system services through the barbershop’s studio.
When the opportunity arose to create a separate space, Challouf pursued it with help from grant funding connected to Cleveland’s Middle Neighborhoods Initiative.
The studio operates by appointment. Consultations cost $75, with that amount applied toward the cost of a hair system if the client decides to purchase one.
Challouf also sees Premier as part of a broader shift in the hair industry. He said older hair-club businesses are beginning to fade as longtime owners retire, while more barbers are adding hair systems to their services.
“Five years ago, six years ago, barbers started doing it more and more and more,” he said.
For now, Premier Hair Replacement is another business taking root in a familiar West Park location. But Challouf’s story suggests that becoming part of the neighborhood can lead to more than opening a storefront.
Sometimes it leads to another project next door. And sometimes, as Challouf hinted, it may even lead to looking up at the landmark above your business and thinking about how to bring it back to life.
Premier Hair Replacement is located at 17140 Lorain Avenue in Cleveland and operates by appointment.