Good news has arrived in Old Greenwich. Fans of John Hilton who recently closed The Haircut Place where he’d worked for decades and ultimately became the owner, has found a new home.
Hilton’s longtime clients had been shocked and disappointed to learn he would be closing due to a rent hike. But he kept his phone number, (203) 637-1313, which was smart, and is now operating nearby at 146 Sound Beach Ave (in the commercial building that is home to OG Social Club).
Hilton has been welcomed by Harriet Skroubelos, who opened her Harriet’s Hair Bar @ My Suite Boutique three years ago as a Covid-safe environment.
John Hilton at the space he rents from Harriet Skroubelos at My Suite Boutique, 146 Sound Beach Ave. Nov 10, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Having created three separate rooms within in the roughly 1,000 sq ft space, Skroubelos could work on multiple people, with one client in each room.
“I used to be able to do multiple heads at a time before Covid. I’d apply a color, do a quick blow-out, and keep everybody separate,” she explained.
Then, during Covid, having three separate rooms allowed for social distancing and keeping customers safe.
But now that the pandemic is over, Skroubelos said her arrangement worked out well for her and Mr. Hilton.
She uses the space at the front herself.
A masseuse, (Greenwich Thai Massage Bodyworks (201) 317-5304) recently came onboard and uses the room in the middle.
And at the back, down a short hallway, Mr. Hilton has a perfectly sized room for his clients, and an adjacent bathroom.
John Hilton with Father Frank Hoffmann, who travels from Norwalk for his haircuts. Nov 10, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
When we visited on Friday, Hilton was just finishing Father Frank Hoffmann’s haircut.
Father Hoffmann, who previously served as Parochial Vicar at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside for nine years, and is now Pastor at St. Matthew Church in Norwalk said he drives to Old Greenwich for his haircuts.
“He’s been cutting my hair since 2005,” Hoffmann said of Mr. Hilton. “It’s like certain things, you’re not going to change barbers unless you’re really far away.”
As for Ms Skroubelos, she said by the time the pandemic was over, she was used to working alone, one client at a time.
“And then John showed up,” she said. “He is a nice man. And his story struck me.”
Mr. Hilton said the has been ideal so far.
Ms Skroubelos has adorned the hallway to Hilton’s area with photo blowups of multiple generations of her family.
“John,” she said, reaching up for a high-five. “We got this!”
Ms Skroubelos, who does all types of hair, offers cuts and colors, but does not take walk-ins. Call for an appointment. Call Harriet’s Hair Bar at My Suite Boutique.(203) 912-6205
Mr. Hilton can take appointments on shorter notice. Call him at (203) 637-1313.
John Hilton is sharing a space at the back of Harriet Skroubelos’s My Suite Boutique at 146 Sound Beach Ave in Old Greenwich.
With their mother, Pota, (standing) Ms Skroubelos as a child in Greece (left), her sister Peggy (center), who operates her own hair business in town, and sister Kathy on the right.
At the house in Greece where Ms Skroubelos was born, her grandmother, Harriet whom she was named after. “This is the woman who taught us love and inspiration. You never back down. You never surrender.”
See also:
Busy Day at The Haircut Place on Its Final Day in Operation
Oct 21, 2023