How would a concept like mine do in Davis Square?

[neknockouts.livejournal.com]

I recently acquired the master franchise rights to a relatively new but fast growing salon concept called Knockouts®. 

It is a sports-themed franchised salon chain providing competitively-priced haircuts and other grooming services including coloring, massage therapy, facials, manicures, pedicures, and hair waxing. It caters specially to men by offering a pampering experience that is not available at other discount walk-in salons and without charging high-end salon prices.  

Each salon features specially-chosen staff of female stylists wearing Knockout Girls^® uniforms, large leather chairs fitted specially for men, individual flat screen TV's with a remote control at each station and complimentary beverages. The environment is upscale and professional yet casual and fun.

Since 2004, Knockouts has sold more than 123 franchised locations in thirteen states, including Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Texas and Vermont. The chain currently operates nine salons, with many more scheduled to open soon.  For more information, please visit our websites www.nekocorp.com and www.knockouts.net.

I'm looking into the possibility of putting my first location in Davis Square.  Do you think it would do well in Davis Square? Are there good locations available? Any input/comments would be welcomed and greatly appreciated.  Thanks...

Comments

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Your analogy falls apart because being white is in the same category as being male. Being white in society day to day is pretty easy since we live in a racist society.

You're comparing a private group that caters to an oppressor class with a public group that caters to an oppressed class -- they're not the same thing.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

My discomfort level would be the same in both groups, since I don't think "reverse" racism and "reverse" sexism are anything to be proud of. While I believe exclusionary and separatist "clubs" of all types should have every right to exist, I would never dream of belonging to one intentionally or supporting it with my money. I respect it as a personal decision for the members to exclude whomever they see fit, regardless of how oppressed their in-group has or hasn't been historically.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Claiming "reverse racism" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw-man) when societally oppressed groups advocate for themselves is a real convenient way to shut up oppressed people and sweep lots of ugly isms under the rug.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[0bsessions.livejournal.com]

I'm a white male, but an Irish one. We were oppressed once, does that mean I get to bitch relentlessly and use the word "oppressed" in completely mistaken situations?

I can understand that many people are still oppressed today, but making "female only" establishments is just a step back in the wrong direction. It's segregation at its most basic.

If you want to be treated as an equal, then stop being a wuss and join the pack. The absolute worst way to go about garnering any legitimate power is to go hide in a building with a "no boyz allowed" sign. There's been remarkable steps taken towards eliminating racism and sexism within the next generation or two, but people have completely fucked it up since the eighties and now it's actually going backwards. Whether the intent is sound or not, the result is completely ass backwards.

The ridiculous double standards keep people from taking it seriously. When a woman screams "equal rights" at me and then in the next breath demands exclusive privelages that men don't have, I cannot take it seriously. The way things are going right now, modern women's "movements" are either going to set us back a decade or just replace one oppressive majority with another (As is far too often the case).

Christians were once the oppressed minority, they followed that up with a rise to power and committing atrocities like the Spanish Inquisition. Just because someone's ancestors were oppressed doesn't mean they're given license to be dicks. This may surprise you, my being a man and all, but I'm actually directly descended from a rather long line of women, myself. Sometimes, it hurts to talk about, but I'm pretty sure a few of them likely had it kind of rough.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

:: applause ::

will you be my e-husband?

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on having posted the 200th comment to this entry!

You win a free subscription to the Davis Square LJ.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

i want a EPIC LULZ 2007 tee shirt.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[0bsessions.livejournal.com]

How about E-Life Partner? That's the PC thing these days, right?

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

oh yes! e-life partner! i promise to bring you your e-slippers and e-coffee every morning while wearing my e-hooters outfit.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[0bsessions.livejournal.com]

About damn time!

Conversely, I can work out and spit while listening to really loud Pantera in the garage and other such male stereotypes.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[neorock.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with what you've said and want to thank you for saying it. :)

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

Thanks for saying so! It's not a popular opinion around these parts. Also, holy crap, you're in the IDF? Best of luck to you in these tumultuous times.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[neorock.livejournal.com]

other than my 630am wake-up it's okay :)

I write IDF policy vis-a-vis Europe. International Military Cooperation at the Strategic Division.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[gemini6ice.livejournal.com]

which is my objection to the "gay community"--equality is not achieved through willful segregation and separation

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[jaybear.livejournal.com]

until I can hit on another guy in a sports bar without having to wonder if I'm going to get punched for simply stating that I find him attractive, there will be a need for a gay community.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[gemini6ice.livejournal.com]

how is staying away from these sports bars going to accomplish the goal of being able to hit on someone there without the fear of violence?

The only thing that will do that is to make them realize, "oh, hey some gay guys like sports and alcohol too" and to make them accept that gay men exist in every day life--not just over there in gayville--and that they may be found attractive. As long as something is seen as "abnormal," it will be treated with disdain by the arrogant and "normal."

Or you could always turn the tables by punching the next girl who hits on you in the face. :p

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[0bsessions.livejournal.com]

I agree with this comment. Staying away from legitimately oppressive douche bags is not the way to stop oppression.

It'll simply never become accepted by general society if general society is not forced to experience it. Keep on hiding from the overall social scene and biggots will think they've won. Personally, I think Henry Rollins came up with the best possible solution. Just gather in masses and invade social establishments peaceably. Either they accept the new status quo or THEY become the ones stuck hiding out.

Given, this doesn't give free license to be a jackass about it. I don't mind being hit on by a guy, it's flattering, but a guy who can't take the hint? Well, that's just as annoying as a woman who can't get the hint.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

how is staying away from these sports bars going to accomplish the goal of being able to hit on someone there without the fear of violence?

I think there's a big difference between having a place to go when you can't deal with it anymore and staying away from them entirely. Just because there's a gay community doesn't mean you *can't* hang out in mixed company.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[jaybear.livejournal.com]

I am not asking this to be argumentative, but out of curiousity: do you have a similar problem with all affinity groups. For instance, the Polish-American Club or the Veterans of Foreign Wars?

I agree with you regarding reverse racism, etc., especially having grown up as the lone gay boy in the wilds of Northampton.

Re: Hmmm..."crunchy granola" parts of town

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

I respect the right of all affinity groups to exist and I understand the human drive toward finding others with similar experiences. My personal discomfort with such environments begins when they become exclusive to the point of prejudice, which is how I feel about a lot of the girl-power crap that goes on these days. If the Polish American club were to accept some random person as a member who happened to have an affinity for their culture, or a college student studying Polish language, I would find it a fine organization based on preservation of culture and shared experience rather than in-group out-group stuff.