A visit at Dillinger’s Barber & Boutique in Montreal

This summer Mrs. Style4men and I have done a Toronto road trip so it was only fitting that for our next outing we would go to Montreal. As part of these road trips, we always fit in a visit to see old friends and meet new ones. Over the past months and through Instagram I got to develop a friendship with the folks at Dillinger’s.  Through their posts we got to see the shop grow from nothing, to the stunning shop it has turned out to be.  It has that distinctive Montreal vibe while at the same time totally living up to the spirit of a traditional Barbershop.

Dillinger’s
4352 Wellington Street
Verdun, Quebec
H4G 1W4
Phone: 438-497-9111
[email protected]

Note that “Verdun” is within Montreal.

As you might have already figured out, a Barbershop has allot to do with the shop and what it looks like and what you can purchase,  but so much of the experience comes from the people running the shop.

 

During the visit I got to meet with JB and his wife Melissa who are the spirit and life of Dillinger’s. The shop is their latest child and you feel the pride as they have built this place from the ground up.  Our visit was so much fun that I even managed to forget a few things and had to go back – to my great delight.

If you are Dillinger’s for a trim, they have a beautiful looking barbershop section.  The black leather chairs are as authentic looking as can be and are just stunning.  The waiting area is also very well done with a proper full size leather couch and chair.  So if you are waiting for your turn with the Barber or if you are hanging around while your friend gets a trim, you will be able to do so very comfortably.  As is customary in Barbershops there is the possibility of having a drink.  After all, it’s a drink between friends. I am more of a coffee man myself, but the simple fact that it is an option raises the comfort level a few notches.

Contrary to many Barbershops which focus solely on the Barber portion of the business, Dillinger’s offer a bigger experience by also being a boutique. That means that you pick-up some grooming essentials as well as a few extra accessories, like: tees, vests, caps, etc…

In the grooming space, Dillinger’s carries some essentials from the following brands:

• American Crew
• Suavecito
• O’Douds
• Groom (from Montreal)
• Rituels
• Grave Before Shave
• Oil Can Grooming
• REUZEL
• Uppercut
• Urban Beard
• Cheech & Chong Beard Oils
• Dapper Dan Beard Oil
• Captain Fawcett’s Beard Oil

I like this aspect very much since most Barbershops will generally only sell the brand that they are using on their customers.  Don’t get me wrong, that’s a great thing.  But offering more, is…well, offering more.  Who doesn’t like to have a few extra choices.

This brings to the other side of Dillinger’s, their on-line store.  Yes, Dillinger’s is also an internet shopping destination where you can pick up all of the brands above as well as a number of razors.

Their on-line store sticks-out with this major differentiator, 4 shipping options!

• Standard = $10
• Canada Post Expedited Parcel = $12.12
• Canada Post Xpresspost = $15.46
• Canada Post Priority = $ 27.4

The above pricing example is for 1 X 100 g jar of pomade being shipped in Canada.  For my wallet, this makes it a winner! Note that for purchases over $50, shipping is FREE! 🙂

Sadly, one of the biggest failure points of on-line businesses is not investing the time to find and establish affordable shipping options for their customers.  In many cases, the store might be offering only 1 or maybe 2 shipping options at prices that often defy reason.  When I am looking into trying out an awesome pomade that sales for $15, but am then presented with a $25 US shipping fee, I can’t move forward as it just became completely un-affordable.

Yes, the price of transportation as whole has gone way up.  But clearly there are businesses that are finding solutions.  I applaud Dillinger’s for realizing that this hidden portion of the business was a deal maker or braker for the on-line shopper.

To sum things up, Dillinger’s is a 5 stars destination both in person and on-line.  Mrs. Style4men and myself totally enjoyed our time in the shop.  The place is beautifully done and JB and Melissa take it to the next level.

Can’t wait for our next visit.

– Pomade Guy!