by Michael P Coleman
This is a story that I had to share.
Moe, the owner of Kutt N Up Barber & Beauty Salon, runs his shop like the one I went to when I was growing up in Detroit.
On the Sunday just before Thanksgiving, I was running errands and wound up filling up my gas tank at a 7-11 on Folsom in Sacramento. Hopping back in my car, I noticed that the neon “OPEN” sign in one of the storefronts across the street was on, which was odd as the business was a barber shop, and I’d never known one to be open on a Sunday. I noticed the door to the shop was propped open, and just inside a guy was watching a football game on the flatscreen.
As the lines of my fade had long ago…uh, faded, and with the holiday approaching, I asked about when I might be able to get an appointment in time for Thanksgiving. Long story short: Moe, the owner, was taking care of some things around his shop that day, but he cut my hair right then. And trimmed my beard.
Now here comes the really good part.
As I’d not planned to get a haircut that day, and as I almost never carry cash, I didn’t have enough money on me to pay for the beard trim, and I told Moe that. He trimmed it anyway, joking that he couldn’t have me walking out of his shop with a raggedy beard and insisting “It’s the holidays. I’ll take care of you. Don’t worry about it.”
“It’s the holidays. I’ll take care of you. Don’t worry about it.” When was the last time you heard words like that?
My unplanned stop at Kutt N Up wound up being a throwback to an era of great barber shop service and conversation that I thought was long behind us. I got compliments for days on that fade and beard. Needless to say, Moe has a new customer. As I get ready for a series of appointments next week, it’s time to get back over there.
And if you (or someone you care about) is looking for a new barber, stop by Kutt N Up Barber & Beauty Salon. And as we used to say back in the day, tell him I sent you!
Kutt N UP Barber Supply is located at 9319 La Riviera (right off of Folsom) in Sacramento. Give Moe a call at 510-943-8390.
Sacramento-based freelance writer Michael P Coleman grew up getting his hair cut at Lampkin’s Barber Shop in Inkster, Michigan. Now, he’s a customer of Moe’s. Connect with him at michaelpcoleman.com or on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP.
