MVP Barbershop makes move to De Pere, adds services

Rich Palzewic

Staff

May 4, 2026

DE PERE – Outgrowing its Hobart space, MVP Barbershop has made the move to De Pere – a shift Co-owner Daniel Gilbert said is already paying off.

Gilbert said the shop’s first location at 740 Centerline Drive – featured in the Feb. 21, 2024 issue of The Business News – was “mainly just a starting location.”

“I wanted to start small so as not to overwhelm myself,” he said. “We did well there, but it was tougher for people to find us because we were tucked away a little bit. I feel like this De Pere location is better for overall growth and the business in general.”

Co-owning the shop with his wife, Melissa, and Juan Santiago, Gilbert said the trio completed work on the Main Avenue space in about 30 days.

“MVP is located in the upstairs portion of the Papa Johns,” he said. “We signed the lease and had to open April 1. Luckily, one of my clients is a painter, so he came in and helped paint. I had a couple of other clients show me how to complete the trim. We added some sinks and pretty much renovated the whole space in about 30 days. It made for some late nights and early mornings.”

Gilbert said the City of De Pere has been very supportive of the business.

“There are not a lot of barbershops in De Pere – we’re more like a modern, urban barbershop, so I feel we’ve gotten a lot of support,” he said. “When I’ve posted in the De Pere Community Connect Facebook group, I’ve had a few families come in because of that.”

Though the barbershop has moved, Gilbert said MVP continues to specialize in the same services it offered in Hobart, including:

• Precision fades and tapers
• Beard trims and grooming
• Razor shaves and hot towel treatments
• Custom hair designs and lineups

Gilbert said MVP’s premium “MVP Experience” includes a haircut, beard trim, shampoo/deep conditioning, facial steamer and black mask treatment.

“We are still seeking another barber and a braider,” he said. “We just want to add as many options and services as we can to cater to more people.”

Lipstick & Lace by Melissa

Melissa – owner of Lipstick & Lace by Melissa – said she has also relocated her business to the De Pere space after spending several years in downtown Green Bay. 

When the opportunity to relocate her skincare business came up, she said she didn’t hesitate.

Gilbert said when they began looking for other locations, that’s when they realized it could be more than just a barbershop.

“If you had gone to the shop in Hobart, Daniel and Juan were working in close proximity,” she said. “At one point, the two of them had talked about finding a bigger place for just the two of them, but I wanted to tag along.”

Melissa said barbershops in the area tend to be very similar, so the goal with the new space was to create a one-stop shop offering a range of services.

“Daniel and I have always wanted to go into business together,” she said. “With us both being in the beauty industry, it made sense to share a space.”

Melissa said she believes the combined concept will eventually carve out its own niche.

“Some ladies have come in for my services, and while they’re with me, their husband or kids will get a haircut with Daniel,” she said.

Melissa said Lipstick & Lace offers facials, makeup applications and other services, with a focus on wedding work but the ability to handle a range of glam looks. 

“We’ve also been doing a lot of graduations and proms,” she said. “We are getting to the busier season now. It’s been nice because brides have been coming in before their wedding and getting their skin nice and ready for their make-up application that weekend. We just need to keep spreading the word.”

Check out mvp-barbershop.com for more information on MVP Barbershop.

For more on Melissa’s skincare business, find Lipstick & Lace on Facebook.