Des Moines barbershop and salon offers gender-affirming haircuts

• Some of his LGBTQ clients shared stories about feeling uncomfortable in some barbershops, prompting Wendt to create a space that's a one-stop shop for clients.
• "Getting your hair cut and getting your hair done is just such an incredible mood and confidence boost," Wendt says. "That's a really important thing for everybody."

State of play: The shop is opening in the basement at 2323 Grand Ave. — a flexible office space just behind Noah's Ark.

• Two barbers and a stylist will be available for services.

The intrigue: The name is a nod to the original Farmers Mutual headquarters that resided in the building.

• The Hartford Collective comes from Des Moines' old nickname, the "Hartford of the West," which was a nod to the growing insurance industry in the area, similar to that of Hartford, Connecticut.

What's next: Expect it to open later this summer.