WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
This location was known for being the oldest barbershop in the city of Merced, first established in 1912 and it was passed down from barber to barber.
In 2014, after working as a barber in this very location, Paul became the owner and named it Valley Cutz Barbershop. At the same time, wife Jessica Avila was working as a stylist at a different salon. In late 2018 Paul and Jessica made the decision to merge, creating what is now known as Avila’s.
In the start of 2019, Avila’s Team consisted of 2 barbers and 2 stylist and later that same year the Avila’s Team had grown into 3 barbers and 3 stylists. With 500 sqft of space and 4 hair stations, the Avila’s Team had outgrown the space.
Our vision
Our vision in 2020 was to look for a space big enough to accommodate the Team of 6 barbers/stylist. We knew we wanted a space that would reflect our Retro and Modern Vintage Style, while offering the best quality services to our clients and providing a clean and safe atmosphere where a couple can book at the same time for themselves and their children. Although, I will say, moving was the scariest yet exciting thing we looked forward to, but we knew it would be worth it in the end.
“Moving was the scariest yet exciting thing we looked forward to.”
— Jessica Avila
Days before March 2020, we had found our location just around the corner, 1729 Canal Street. With our lease signed and our hopes high, we began construction. However, we were not prepared for what was about to come. March 13th, 2020, Governer Newsom announced the mandated shutdown for COVID-19 to last approximately 14 days. However, this shut down lasted several months. We went right to work, Paul has 16 years of construction experience under his belt, so it was an easy process to quarantine and learn to build our dream shop.
We considered this quarantine to be a blessing in disguise as we kept adding more and more things into our budget. June 1st, we were able to open our doors to the public with lots of restrictions, then a month later, we went back into the mandated quarantine. We survived through a long year of uncertainty, as we felt our dreams collapsing with only being able to have our doors open for a total of 4 months in 2020.
Finally, after the mandated shutdown, in January 2021, we opened fully to the public and we blossomed into what is now Avila’s.
Our mission
From our products and services to our relationships with clients, family, friends and our community, we uphold a standard of excellence that is unwavering. At Avila’s, we offer quality services in an environment that is family friendly, clean, open and most importantly welcoming. It is our goal that every client leaves Avila’s feeling their personal best.
special thanks
To all of our clients for supporting our small business. Your patronage has made a huge impact on our growth. Your trust and loyalty has been a driving force behind our success and we are deeply appreciative of it. Thank you for choosing us. We look forward to having you in the shop!
-Avila’s Team
avilasbarbersalon.com 