Johns Creek development Medley has a new wave of tenants on the way, including local barber shop The Commodore, according to a release. The approximately 800-square-foot location, slated to open at Toro Development Company’s mixed-use development this fall, will mark the sixth location for The Commodore.
The Commodore is known for its retro style, with founder Robert Hopper crafting the concept around restored 1950s Takara Belmont barber chairs. Since launching the brand in 2015, Hopper has opened locations in Buckhead, Chamblee, Roswell and West Midtown. Another location is on the way to Ponce City Market, alongside a new speakeasy from the brand called La Cueva, which is slated to open in about a month.
Hopper will co-own the Medley location with Rich Craven, who also has ownership in two other spots for the brand.
“We’re pumped to be opening up alongside some other great tenants,” Hopper told What Now Atlanta.
The Commodore’s expansion strategy is slow and deliberate, focusing on maintaining the unique elements that set the brand apart in the first place. Each barber shop features restored antique Takara Belmont barber chairs, placing a natural limiting factor on expansion. Hopper also makes it a priority to bring his team members into positions of ownership through his expansion strategy. Instead of franchising, different locations are spearheaded by existing members of staff interested in stepping into a leadership role.
“We’re never going to be able to open tons of locations, but as long as we keep getting opportunities in cool developments and have people on our team with energy and ambition who want to take leadership, we’ll open locations,” Hopper said.
Hopper is also eyeing expansion outside of Atlanta for the first time, looking to markets like his hometown of Tampa.
In addition to the imminent opening at Ponce City Market, Hopper and his team are rolling out a mobile barber truck. Designed to act as a miniature The Commodore location, it will feature a shipping container on a truck featuring a big window and two antique barber chairs. Hopper is hoping to unveil that mobile concept in the next couple of months.
Medley in Johns Creek is gaining momentum toward opening, with plans to officially launch on October 29. It also broke ground on its second phase, Encore, this month, which will add 408 multifamily residences and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Encore is expected to open in 2027.
