Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
After 25 years at 303 E. Fourth St. between Avenue C and Avenue D, Juan Rosado is closing his Don Juan's Barber Shop.
You've heard this story before: The lease is up, and Rosado said the new rent is too much for him.
"We had a good run, I can't complain," he said. "I raised my son here."
Rosado, an East Village native who grew up around the corner, started cutting hair by setting up in the empty lot next to the post office branch on Third Street and ran an extension cord to give $5 haircuts to the neighborhood. (An aside: He's also an excellent photographer.)
Since opening Don Juan's, the shop has become a thriving family-friendly business and a local hangout that provides a much-welcomed community spirit.
Thankfully, Rosado isn't going too far: He'll have a chair at Jay Joe's Classic Cuts at 256 E. Third St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.
And this, he hopes, is an interim situation. Rosado plans to open a mobile barber shop in the future.
"My power move," he said.
June 23 is the shop's last date...
Previously on EV Grieve:
4 comments:
I am sorry to hear this. Don Juan's has been a great spot there for so long.
Terrible news! Juan is a great guy and terrific barber. I hope he can make his mobile shop a reality and continue with his amazing wildlife photography.
Another one bites the dust. Gizmo, Dress Shop (83 Second Ave), Commodities, etc, etc, etc, etc......
As long as Juan is still cutting, I'll be there, wherever there is. Juan's always been my only barber. Even after I moved West. Been with that boy since before his shop. Great cut and great guy. Just flew in and I'm on my way down.
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