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Closed for Business: Kidz Cut Zone, 447 Sixth Avenue
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 10:35AM 
Kidz Cut Zone, the children-centric gift shop, clothing store, and barber shop on Sixth Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets, has shuttered. Many thanks to a tipster for sending along the following note:
"This place had a For Rent sign in the window as of this morning. It seems to have been in disarray for quite some time with half-hearted revamps, and a sometimes-open, sometimes-not schedule.
I feel bad for the owner, Gina. She seems to be a lovely person and it is sad to see this place closed--wonder the new Area Kicks and Cuts on 5th Ave dealt the mortal blow."
The shop was unique when it opened several years ago, but since then several other children's boutiques and haircutters have popped up, most notably the Area shops mentioned above. Businesses on Sixth Avenue are also far less visible (and get much less foot traffic) than those on Fifth or Seventh, so that gives them a disadvantage as well.
Closed for Business in Storefronts
Reader Comments (13)
They seemed to have lost their way some time ago. Certain types of businesses that had no competition for years are now facing it and dont have the business acumen to compete. While on 6th ave, its visible from the major cross st of 9th which does have plenty of foot traffic.
Jbob: In some sense, you are right. But, I think your statement that these businesses "don't have the business acumen to compete" is a bit strong and, perhaps, a bit insulting. Small business owners are entrepreneurs with a dream. In some cases, these dreams are realistic and the business succeeds. In some cases, their business plan is ambitious and they struggle. You've got to consider all the other factors involved: rents are steep, tastes are fickle, and some businesses have such a specialized niche (like "Brooklyn Bloke" t-shirts for $40) that you wonder how they ever secured financing. Anyway, there's no shortage of kids in the Slope who need haircuts, clothes and toys. It's just a question of whether that number can sustain the number of businesses catering to that client base.
Stella,
Perhaps it was a little strong but businesses compete all the time with stiffer competition and the good ones continue to thrive. Case in point is Colson bakery which is right around the corner from Kidz Cuts- when it opened there werent any bakeries around it. In the last few years (particularly the last year) it has seen way too many frankly new bakeries open up with a few blocks. It continues to do really well though.
So sick of people like Stella in this neighborhood. Didn't you already deathwatch the new clothing place a couple days after it opened?? If you had even looked at the website you'd see much more than tshirts.
So tired of know it all park slopers who talk as if they know what they're talking about but are obviously ignorant self centered whiners, looking around making lists of the businesses they deem not worthy enough to last.
Between 9th and 10th.
Can we talk about the hippy store next door? I believe it's a money laundering front for the left-wing underground cause.
The hair cuts clearly couldn't pay the rent. The space seemed crowded by all the other eclectic merchandise.
My theory is that parents who wanted a hassle-free haircut started avoiding the place as they were always put on the spot about the subsequent purchase of some sort of reward-esque treat. I really hate having to say 'no' all the time to my crotchlings. I have no problem doing so, but tend to steer them away from inevitable 'can we buy that [insert name of candy, toy, long playing record, organic vegetable here]?, PLEEEEEASE?!?' situations.
Never seems to happen at JCP, notice that?
That comment above was EPIC. Left-wing underground cause? My lord.
I can't think of a kids' haircut place in the Slope that doesn't have something else for sale.
I have no clue what happened to this place. I never even noticed its existence and my kid isn't old enough yet to even get their first haircut. My guess here is that, just like every other hairdresser or barber shop, you either have a following that sustains you, or you don't.
Gina gave my daughter her first haircut 11 years ago when she was still with Lulu's at its old 5th Ave and 3rd St. location. We followed her to Kidz Cut and she's been cutting my kids' hair ever since. We'll miss her!
That's really sad. We loved Gina's I don't like Area kids cuts at all. It's the most unfriendly place I've ever been to in Park Slope. Horrible service.
We had a great first hair cut there last year, but when we went back this year it was apparently Gina's last day of business. We'd called earlier to ask her hours, and she didn't mention that the place was a shambles, bordering on unsafe for our 3 yo. I guess trying to get a final $20 of business as your shutting down is understandable, but it doesn't indicate great feeling for your customers. We went to Kicks and Cutz or whatever instead, and had a great time.
So, on a practical note, does anyone know where Gina went? I loved the haircut she gave my daughter.
I never brought my kids to get a hair cut in any of these places. You are literally a hostage in a toy store, and who needs it?? Lulu was the first to successfully do this, and of course Area. Everyone complains about Area, but you all keep shopping there. Messy windows; a business which clearly doesn't care about the community, and every week another opens.
I'd also like to know where Gina is now working. We drove to the shop from Queens for about 5 years. She gave our daughters adorable bob haircuts.
Gina moved to Indiana to be with family there.