John Flemal at Urban Lift Salon

Photo: Martha Williams

Street cred John Flemal moved to Chicago in 2000 to do insurance work for a new dot-com company. But when that business went bust, he decided to enroll in beauty school at Truman College. “I just thought to myself, That might be fun,” he says. Flemal graduated in April 2002, and after working at salons in Lincoln Park and in the Southport Corridor, he decided to open his own space, Urban Lift, in October 2004. “It’s really great to be a part of the community,” says Flemal, who often brings his two dogs (Cooper and Harvey, named after Harvey Pekar, the comic-book writer who once visited the salon for a trim) to work with him.

Why I love him Every other time I get my hair cut, it’s with John. (The in-between times, I’m trying out new salons as research for the TOC database.) I get more compliments on my hair after he cuts it than with anyone else. Often times, I don’t even have to tell him how to cut it; he knows when to make it a little shorter (summer) and when to leave it a little longer and spikier (fall). He recently took a method men’s cutting class at the American Crew Academy in Denver, and his technique just keeps getting better (he also excels in women’s cuts; my coworker Mari found him first). Beyond his fab cuts, he creates a fun atmosphere in his salon. Whether he’s telling hilarious stories about his mom (it sounds as if she could give Kathy Griffin’s mom, and her box of wine, a run for her money) or recapping the latest episode of 30 Rock, you can always count on John delivering a solid, entertaining cut (or color—he’s also a Wella master colorist). Cuts at Urban Lift are $35–$50; color services $70–$80. 3639 N Ashland Ave (773-281-5438, urbanliftsalon.com).

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