BUFFALO CO.

AT HOME WITH BUFFALO CO.

WITH A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE, CO-FOUNDERS TRAVIS MITCHELL AND JESSICA MITCHELL OPENED BUFFALO CO YEARS AGO. INSPIRED BY THEIR SURROUNDINGS IN CALIFORNIA, THE SPACE IS WELCOMING AND RUSTIC. THIS IS WHY THEY USE TAKARA BELMONT CHAIRS TO BRING THEIR VISION TO LIFE.

Hairdressing and barbering exist in the same world in Buffalo Co. , which is housed in the historic Vail Headquarters shopping center in Temecula, CA. The 10-chair barber-salon hybrid space is cultivated by a stellar crew of stylists and barbers who believe that every person who comes through the Buffalo Co. doors should be treated with kindness and grace. Jessica said: “We welcome everything from skin fades to colorful mullets to beachy blond extensions. We want everyone to feel like not only did they walk into a super cool looking space, but that they are cool enough to be there.”

Travis said: “Ultimately, we found that there was no one else doing what we thought needed to be done… which is combining the community cultivating feel of a barber shop with the luxury experience of a salon. Some barbershops can be intimidating to walk into if you’re a woman or mom with kids. A high-end salon can be intimidating for a man who just wants a quick fade. We wanted to provide an environment where every family member will feel welcomed and comfortable.”

That’s why Travis and his team cut, style, and color hair based on client personalities and desires, not on classically masculine or feminine cuts. “We're hair artists who take our craft seriously. We take the time to build relationships with people on a foundation of communication and trust. It’s about creating a community vibe where our clients will not only hang out with some pretty cool people but will leave feeling inspired to look better and live better. We do awesome hair all day, every day.”

Jessica told us that the natural light and character of the building enhance the welcoming environment. Buffalo Co. stays true to the rustic industrial ambiance of the mid-1800s building, with a touch of modern sophistication. But it’s more than just a place where people come to get their hair cut: “It’s a space where like-minded creatives can come together for inspiration or just kick ideas around,” Travis said. The initial inspiration for the interior design came from the desire to compliment the aesthetic of the historically significant shopping center. “You can almost imagine the wild west as you walk through the center,” Jessica said. “The best way to honor that for us was to keep the rustic vibe and add a little luxury. From the floors and ceiling to the shelving and tabletops, we used a lot of wood elements that add a lot of warmth to the space. To add some luxury, we installed a waterfall quartz countertop for the stations. Our furniture is a perfect blend of masculine and feminine styling, with our light gray dainty barber chairs complementing gray hexagon floor tiles that are intricately placed to meet the wideplank wood floors in a fun and inviting pattern.”

Chairs are the beating heart of every barbershop and salon – it’s where the client sits for up to hours at a time. Comfort is key, and aesthetic makes all the difference. “Our chairs are an absolute showstopper, and they were one of the first things we purchased for our salon. We saw the Takara Belmont Dainty Barber Chair at ISSE in Long Beach and knew they were perfect for our aesthetic…” Slimmed down barber chairs that are beautiful without compromising any of the functionality of a hardworking barber chair is what the Buffalo Co. duo were looking for. “Takara Belmont is an incredible company that has the best quality chairs on the market, and we are so happy with our chairs. Six years since opening, the chairs are still looking amazing after tons of use!”

Jessica summed up the Buffalo Co. ethos: “Some hair shops can feel intimidating, but we are not one of those shops! Our bright and cheerful space will always have fun music playing, you will be greeted with a warm smile from our staff, and you will be offered a local beer, wine, or coffee. We encourage everyone to hang out like they’re family. We care about our clients as much as we care about the success of our business.” Find the team on Instagram as @buffaloco.co