Barber Dale ventures out on his own

by Sharon Fell

Dale DeLong, a barber running his own business out of the shared salon space at Mia Salon in Broadview Heights, feels it is time to make the move to a location that is totally his own.

He has decided to bring his talents to Brecksville in 2024.

When DeLong was a teen growing up in Slavic Village and Seven Hills, he realized he had a knack for styling hair, often arranging new do’s for friends before big occasions like school dances and homecoming. So, when it came time to decide what he wanted to do with his life, attending barber college was a logical choice. He also came from a family of men who worked with their hands, realizing the value of hard work.

DeLong graduated from LaBarberia Institute Barber School in Mayfield Heights in 2012 and promptly went to work for other people. After seven years, he opened his own enterprise, Barber Dale – a nickname that stuck over the years – in the Mia Salon Studios facility on Market Place in Broadview Heights. He’s been there for the last four years.

But that is about to change as DeLong plans to open his own location of Barber Dale, which he is rebranding to “Barber Dale’s,” on Brecksville Road in the first quarter of 2024. He said he decided to change the name because instead of operating as a solo business, he will now have other stylists working for him.

DeLong has several reasons for choosing Brecksville to be home to his first solo location. First and foremost, he said, “the city has a lot going for it.” He sees the new Sherwin Williams Research and Development facility, slated to open mid-2024 at the old Brecksville VA hospital location, as a positive sign – one he believes will employ many prospective new clients.

Additionally, many of his existing clients already live in the area. 

With the Brecksville decision made, when DeLong saw the “For Rent” sign in the window at 8920 Brecksville Rd., he knew it was meant to be. He’s currently in the process of renovating the space to his specific requirements and looking for people to staff it. Since this is his dream, he’s taking all the time he needs to get it right. After starting the process in August, he hopes to be open in January or February. 

Barber Dale’s will offer modern, contemporary, and traditional barbershop services including haircuts for adults and children, beard trims and face shaves for adults. He also offers specialty service packages for brothers, fathers and sons.

“People can get their hair cut anywhere, but my goal with Barber Dale’s is to create atmosphere and culture within the walls of the barbershop that not only will you leave looking your best but also feeling your best,” DeLong said.

Those wishing to make an appointment at his current Broadview Heights location before the new site is open can check out his website at  https://www.bookbarberdale.com/. You can also reach him by text at 440-292-5858 or by email at barberdalestudio@gmail.com. ∞

Photo: Barber Dale DeLong plans to relocate his barbering business from Broadview Heights’ Mia Salon to his own space in Brecksville. Photo submitted.