Last month it was announced that The Haircut Place, a barber shop and salon in the village of Old Greenwich, would close by the end of its lease on Dec 31.
The owner of the barber shop, John Hilton, said when the rent was doubled from $3,500 a month to $7,000 by the building’s new owner, he could no longer afford to operate there.
The Haircut Place has been in operation since 1958.
Hilton, who started working at the barber shop back in July 1982 and took over the business in January 1999.
Sadly, the last day of business for the Haircut Place at 259 Sound Beach Ave was moved up to Saturday, Oct 21.
It was also a busy day.
After decades in operation the last day of business at The Haircut Place in the village of Old Greenwich was a busy one. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jack Cloutier had a haircut from John Hilton on the last day of operation of The Haircut Place in the village of Old Greenwich. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Chase Cumberland, a member of the Greenwich High School class of 2027, said he had been coming to The Haircut Place since he was big enough to sit up on the antique motorcycle for a haircut.
Photo courtesy Chase Cumberland
On Saturday he explained he had an appointment for a haircut to remedy the one his friend gave him on a lark.
Chase, who attended Old Greenwich School and Eastern Middle School before entering GHS this fall, said he was sad to learn the business was closing.
He added that he liked that the village of Old Greenwich had a long history and got a kick out of having been taught Mrs. Williamson’s class – the same classroom that his grandfather learned in.
John Hilton with lifelong customer Chase Cumberland on the last day of operation at The Haircut Place in Old Greenwich. Oct 21, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Chase’s father Brian said he was said to see The Haircut Place close after coming there himself since the family move to Old Greenwich 14 years earlier.
“I’ve loved coming here. It’s an international crowd and we watch European football – soccer – here. It’s representative of how international Old Greenwich is,” he said.
Nodding to his son, Chase, he said, “Their friends and classmates have been from other countries.”
“And, coming here, you get the local insights – the scoop on what’s coming and going,” he added.
Mr. Hilton said he did not yet have a new location secured, but hadn’t given up either. Stay tuned.
After Decades, The Haircut Place on Sound Beach Ave Seeks a New Home
Sept 21, 2023