Village barbershop’s birthday a
cut above the rest
BY BOB KRASNER
Ch a m p a g n e ,
munchies, rockin’
tunes from a live
band, dancing, dapper
gents and sophisticated
ladies — everything you
could want for a birthday
party was in place on
Friday night. The place
being the Haar & Co.
Barbershop, where owner
Michael Haar hosted a
shop full of friends and
clients who helped celebrate
the second anniversary
of his tonsorial
emporium.
After several sets of
“Hillbilly Boogie,” the
band, East Village regulars
the Susquehanna Industrial
Tool and Die Co.,
with special guest singer
Stella Rose St. Clair, serenaded
Haar with their
Michael Haar prepares to blow
out the candle, presented by L-R
Franny Elaine (shop receptionist)
and Trudy Yoahs.
unique version of “Happy Birthday”
as the birthday cupcakes were
presented. After blowing out the
candle, Haar took the mic to thank
everyone and declared that, “this is
the most amount of people we’ve
had in the shop at one time!”
Haar, born and raised in Queens,
has been a DJ on East Village Radio
and WFMU and played in various
PHOTOS BY BOB KRASNER
punk bands, though
not particularly notable
ones. “Don’t even bother
googling it!” he says.
He put himself through
barber school by shucking
oysters at Live Bait
and has been cutting
hair for the last 13
years, in London and
Italy as well as NYC.
Michael Haar (center) surrounded by clients.
Haar, who has always worked below
14th Street, settled into the 45
Christopher St. address in part because
he “liked the historic neighborhood.”
Also, since he lives in
Chelsea, he has the luxury of walking
to work.
In a city where barber shops
seem to be multiplying like nail salons,
Haar muses on what makes
his establishment different. After
noting that the interior was created
with the help of an architect and a
branding agency, he relates that,
“we offer professionally casual service.
It makes people comfortable
immediately.”
The proprietor has about 300
personal clients, which means one
has to plan in advance if you want
the master’s touch. Dan Hermann,
Michael Haar, getting ready for his
closeup.
also a friend of Haar’s who has
been a client for the past six years,
complains that, “he’s booked for
months in advance!” Not so, says
Haar, who says that he’s booking
about three to four weeks out.
“But,” he notes, “I am cutting back
in order to take time to build the
business.”
Which means that his handpicked
staff will be a little busier,
including the new guy, Kenneth
Vick. He’s settled in after only two
weeks and he’s pretty happy about
it. “I like the vibe here!” says Vick.
“The vintage barber chairs, the
deco design – everything done with
great care. It’s Michael’s dream and
we’re all living in it. It’s wonderful.”
More information can be found
at www.haarandco.com
Michael McMahon, of the Susquehanna Industrial Tool and Die Co., chats
with a fan.
Schneps Media November 21, 2019 15
/www.haarandco.com
/www.haarandco.com
