The Stag House Story.

A passion for barbering and a knack for people. It was less than three years before they started to encounter full books, daily. They spent their spare time together, marketing themselves, mixing and mingling with locals within Bergen County, NJ and in turn, acquired a strong, loyal following of men that supported their every move.

They decided to bring their book, and purchased Salon Salon Rocks in Glen Rock, NJ. With this space, they split it down the middle to accommodate the loyal clients the previous salon was experiencing, as well as their own.

Stag and its counterpart, The Mane Loft, have since moved to a larger location in Saddle River and have continued to immerse themselves in local flavor, carrying products from New Jersey and New York, as well as hosting events after hours. Through the support of their staff and clients, Stag is already on its way to becoming a Bergen County cornerstone.

The team.

Rachel Israel

Owner

I found my passion for hair during high school when I presented my final senior oral project about the beauty industry and demonstrated an updo on a mannequin in front of an audience. While I initially explored the dental world and pursued dental hygiene, I soon realized that my true passion lay in hairdressing. I quickly enrolled in cosmetology school and began working at a salon where I met my best friend and future business partner, Christine. Around the same time, I became a mother to my first son and found my forever career. Upon receiving my cosmetology license, I discovered a fascination for the art of barbering and the energy that came with it. I was drawn to the intricacies of each detailed fade and the relaxation of a hot lather shave. Christine and I recognized the strength of our partnership and decided to start our own business in 2015, which we now call our home. Together, we have built an incredible team, and our partnership and friendship continue to grow stronger each year. In my free time, I enjoy being a mother to my two boys, and we love to travel as a family and explore new places each year. I spend most of my days behind the chair in our barbershop, but I still have a passion for women's hairdressing. I am continually impressed by the work of our stylists and the art we bring to life each day! My favorite products I like to use is the 'Davines' pliable medium paste and the shine wax.

Fun fact: Rachel was born in Philadelphia but was raised in The Netherlands for almost 10 years. Dutch is her first language and still speaks it at home.

Christine Modica

Owner

I began in the industry in 2005, jumping right behind the chair the week I got my permit! I couldn’t wait. I worked for Supercuts for 6 years, and after running 2 stores and traveling to Rome for intimate training, I changed my focus in 2009 to solely the barbering industry.
I later started at a barbershop in Franklin Lakes, and found my future business wife, Rachel. There, we applied our unconditional selves, and truly met some amazing forever guests, many we have had in our chairs for over a decade, side by side.
Stag House is our prized possession together. And I get to do this beside my brother, and my best friend. Win win!
Before Stag, I fell in love with the nostalgia of barbershops, the rich history and the constant overturn of my chair. I mostly fell in love with art of human connection. This is Stag’s mission. Now, although my focus is in short classic barber cuts and styles, I still play with color and love to heal and maintain long layered hair. My favorite product is the Davines OI conditioning butter, it’s a life saver.

Fun fact- Christine loves a road trip and has visited tons of states in the US. Her favorite state so far is New Mexico!

Gwen

I started in this industry in 2011 and after 4 years at a previous salon I was lucky enough to find Stag House just after they opened. Stag House was new and so was I but we took a chance on each other and 8 years later it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Stag House gave me an opportunity to learn, grow, create and I’m forever grateful they took a chance on me. I’ve always had a passion for doing hair growing up and enrolled in cosmetology school after seeing if a life in Culinary Arts was for me(it wasn’t). I couldn’t imagine doing anything else besides barbering and cosmetology. This industry is more than a job, it has taught me so much and has introduced me to some of my favorite people, my clients. I look forward to continue growing with Stag House for many more years.
Fun fact: I am Stag Houes’ first-hire and longest-running employee. I also have about 20 houseplants.

Ari

As the Event Coordinator and Client Relations specialist at Stag House, I also serve as the unofficial comic relief and official Wedding Coordinator. With a background in illustration, graphic design, and body modification, I love helping clients enhance their appearance and boost their confidence. I enjoy building relationships with clients and feel grateful to be part of the talented and kind team at Stag House.

Kevin

Kevin is our dedicated and talented barbershop manager, overseeing all aspects of our shop with a keen eye for detail and a passion for customer satisfaction. He has been honing his barbering skills ever since he first picked up a pair of clippers, and his expertise is evident in every haircut he delivers. With years of experience under his belt, Kevin not only ensures that our barbershop runs smoothly, but also provides top-notch service to every client who walks through our doors. His commitment to the craft of barbering and his friendly, professional demeanor make him an invaluable part of our team.

Alyx

My name is Alyx. I've always been a creative and social person which is what naturally led me to my dive into the hair industry. At first I was a fine arts and mechanical engineering double major at Ramapo college, where I would cut my classmates hair because no one wanted to go off campus for hair cuts. At first this was just my side hustle, which then quickly turned into my passion. My father once told me I’d never work a day in my life if I enjoyed my job. I learned that cutting hair was that “job” for me. My barbering /stylist journey started at the Parisian Paul Mitchel Partner School in New Jersey and I received my cosmetology license shortly after starting my career here at Stag House (where my true training began). Over the years I have learned from the best and honed my craft. I am very detail-oriented and don’t stop working on your hairstyle until it’s perfect. If you want to experiment with something new, talk with me to create your own personalized style. I love a good project! I am also well versed in curly hair as well as androgynous styling/cutting. One of the things that I am most grateful for is the strong relationships that I have built with my clients over the years. I take pride in the fact that I have been able to make a difference in their lives through my work, not just by giving them great haircuts, but by being a friend and confidant.
Fun fact: I am a country music fan and I will never be caught dead without a flannel.

Rob

Hi, I'm Rob Knapp , a skilled barber at Stag House . With 10 years of experience, I've honed my craft to deliver exceptional haircuts and a personalized experience for each client. I fell in love with barbering because of my passion for hair and the joy of transforming each person's look.

What drives me is seeing happy clients return, knowing I've made a positive impact on their day. I strive to create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels at home. When I'm not cutting hair, you can find me cheering on my favorite sports teams, indulging in horror movie marathons , or adding to my large collection of physical media.

At Stag House , I'm dedicated to providing top-notch service and ensuring every client leaves feeling confident and satisfied. But its the relationships ive built along the way thay truly make my job rewarding .Come visit me for a cut,or even just a trim and let's chat about hair, sports, or the latest horror flicks!
Fun fact: I own over 2000 pieces of Physical Media !!! (Dvds, Vhs, Vinyl) and it's still growing it's like having your own Blockbuster.

Jess

Jess is a highly skilled and seasoned hairdresser with extensive experience in both barbering and women's hair. With a passion for creating unique and stylish looks, Jess has honed her craft over many years in the industry. Her expertise in both traditional barbering techniques and modern women's hair trends makes her a versatile and in-demand professional. Clients appreciate Jess's attention to detail, creativity, and ability to bring their hair visions to life. Whether it's a classic men's haircut or a trendy women's style, Jess's dedication to her craft shines through in every appointment.

Nicole

Since I was a young girl, I've been passionate about the beauty industry. I used to volunteer to do everyone's hair and makeup for events or special occasions, and it made me realize how much I enjoyed helping people feel their best. When I started learning the art of hair, I felt incredibly passionate about my work. I specialize in haircutting and lived-in color and have been honing my skills for six years. I've had the privilege of studying under some of the best cutting and color specialists in the world. I truly enjoy giving someone the hair they've always wanted, as well as a style or color that truly complements them as an individual.

Fun fact: At the age of two, I gave my cousin their first haircut, and it's definitely a fun story to ask me about. Also, I'm a massive animal lover and I have a dog named Star whom I absolutely adore!

Tanya

My passion for the makeup arts started in high school, where I began doing makeup applications for the theatre group. I fell in love. I have worked for several companies starting with Too-Faced in 2005 and following that, had a beautiful 11 year career with MAC Cosmetics. With MAC I was exposed to an amazing culture of talented artists that were all there to teach and learn from each other. It was an inspiring atmosphere, which became a standard for me. MAC provided me with continued and further education for the entirety of my career there, and Stag House has done the same for me. Stag House is the perfect environment to learn and be inspired. With 20 years experience in this industry every day I am inspired. Makeup and skincare go hand and hand and my hero product is Skin regimen 1.85 booster Hyaluronic Acid Serum from Comfort Zone. Truly a game changer.
Fun fact: I’m also missing an internal organ.

Olivia