College at Broadway continues to emerge as a vibrant retail destination, where new businesses build loyal followings, and established local favorites expand. Extravagant Grooming Lounge exemplifies both trends.
Opened in February 2020 at 5243 College, the business has experienced steady growth despite launching one month before the pandemic shut everything down, but the business adapted to shifting restrictions and safety requirements. As conditions improved, clients returned, encouraged by the shop’s resilience and continued growth.
The lounge began as a single storefront and expanded last year into the neighboring space previously occupied by an amplifier retailer and, briefly, a smoke shop. Today, high windows and ceilings, bold interior colors, and inventive lighting create a bright, welcoming environment for clients seven days a week.
Owner Isiah Stafford spent more than a decade working as a barber before opening his own shop. He started looking for a location in Rockridge and nearby neighborhoods. “Wendy’s was as far as I went into Rockridge when I was at Oakland Tech, Stafford admitted. He realized that driving past potential spaces did not allow him to fully understand them so he switched to exploring by bicycle.
The College Avenue location was the first of seven spaces he toured and ultimately became his final choice. Drawing on years of inspiration from barber shops and other businesses, Stafford brought those ideas together to create the lounge as it exists today.
Isiah puts the finishing touches on a client haircut.
A strong sense of family and community defines the space. Children can shoot basketballs in the backyard while waiting for appointments, and Stafford’s teenage sons assist in the shop and appear in promotional materials. The nine-member staff works in an atmosphere that often includes shared downtime and backyard barbecues, reflecting the shop’s role as a welcoming, family-friendly environment.
Barber Marcos Davila noted, “I have really found a home here …I love walking down the Avenue.” He is confident the staff can provide whatever a customer wants. “We specialize in everything,” he explained.
In addition to traditional haircuts and shampoo services, the lounge meets growing demand for every man’s needs — locs (a moisturizing method used mostly on natural hair), braids, straight razor shaves, detailed beard grooming, and custom styling.
Pricing is designed to be accessible for all ages: seniors and children can receive a haircut for $40, while deluxe haircuts include services such as a Black Mask Facial.
With the expanded storefront, Extravagant Grooming Lounge now serves more clients and provides additional employment opportunities. Increased foot traffic has offered an unexpected boost, and support from Rockridge residents has played a significant role in the shop’s success. Staff members describe a strong sense of belonging within the neighborhood.
Stafford continues to refine and evolve the space, introducing updates such as deep blue walls and honeycomb ceiling lighting. “I have not completed my vision for the shop… Everything is going the way it’s supposed to go.”
For appointments, contact the lounge at:
Email: Egloakland@gmail.com
Web: https://www.extravagantgroominglounge.com/
Follow: @ExtravagantGroomingLounge on social media
Call: (510) 681-4579.
