Our Story
My name is Angelo, and I started Regal (as Regal Barbers) back in 2014, when a friend needed help to open a barber shop. I had no experience or knowledge in the industry, but I knew business, and recently sold a restaurant I had owned in Vancouver for 21 years. So, I decided to take a shot and partner with my friend.
Shortly after opening Regal, I realized the similarities. Just like in restaurants, it truly is all about the experience. I knew all about exceptional service and hospitality, except now there would not be any wasted food to throw out.
Still, a barber shop was not my arena, so I needed it to be something more. I wanted to find a way to create the absolute best experience available for clients and of course, the staff. (How else would we attract the best barbers available?) So, after a couple of years of growth and learning, I did a very simple thing to find my answer: I invited a group of our best clients and staff to dinner, and simply asked them what they wanted most from their experience.
This is a blank canvas, paint it as you wish, I told them, so they told me.
Membership program, a lounge atmosphere, a beautiful inviting aesthetic, one stop shop for all men’s essential grooming needs.. etc. I repeated the exercise with employees. I listened, and thus began our transition. I left the old shop for my barber friend and set sail in the uncharted waters of making that canvas a reality.
In 2017, Regal Barbers became Regal Grooming Lounge, relocated to a larger space, with a lounge and bar. We developed (and re-developed) a membership program with both our valued clients and employees at the forefront of our minds.
From day one I have, more or less, been a passive observer, with only one objective in mind: I want whatever I am building to become more, always improving and growing. I understand that in order to do that, people who walk in and out must feel that they’ve had a great experience. This is the foundation from which Regal was built. The people will dictate our next course of action.
Today, after years of refining, we can say proudly that we have established ourselves as a premiere spot in Vancouver for men’s grooming. We pride ourselves on being welcoming to all and our barbers are consistently eager to serve new clients. My promise is that I will always listen to your feedback, and Regal will continue to expand, learn and grow. From there, we will together embark on the next phases of Regal Grooming Lounge. Whatever that may be!
