Shave and a Haircut

Shave and a Haircut


Written by Gwen Mcnamara

Friday, 26 February 2010 17:02

Barber Mike Zingaro can’t picture a better way to make a living


Mike Zingaro didn’t set out in life to become a barber, but after 18 years of trims and close shaves this Princeton entrepreneur couldn’t think of being part of any other profession.

“I got started at 20 after I went to college,” Mr. Zingaro says.

“I went to play baseball, but the college thing didn’t really work out for me. My father had an old Italian friend who owned a barber shop and I had great memories of going in and out of there as a kid. It seemed like an interesting trade so I went to vocational school, graduated and started cutting hair.”

After graduation from Ocean County Vocational School in Brick, he came to Princeton as the manager of Rialto Barber Shop on Nassau Street. There he built up a strong clientele and learned the skills that today are the foundation of his craft.

“It was a great experience and I developed great friendships,” Mr. Zingaro says. “But after a while I wasn’t progressing and decided to open my own shop."

Mike’s Barber Shop opened at 16 Witherspoon St. in 2006. Competing with two other shops wasn’t easy — Rialto Barber Shop on Nassau Street and Continental Barber Shop also on Witherspoon Street — but with quality service and a warm, welcoming atmosphere Mr. Zingaro quickly gained a loyal following.

“Being a barber is not just a service,” says Mr. Zingaro. “It’s about the people you meet. I’ve grown so many friendships over the years. This is a close-knit town. Many people would come by even if they didn’t need a haircut just to grab a cup of coffee, hang out, talk sports, watch some TV or bring the kids by. A barbershop is a place for community.”

After more than four years at 16 Witherspoon St., rising rent forced Mr. Zingaro to make the tough choice of closing shop and looking for a new locale.

“For three months I was looking for new space and then the Henderson brothers (of Henderson Sotheby’s International Reality) stepped in and says they’d like me to be in their build ing,” Mr. Zingaro says. “They didn’t have to do what they did, but I’m really thankful. The Henderson brothers are really good people. It’s a testament to building relationships — if you give to people, you get it back, even if you’re not looking for it.”

Mike’s Barber Shop reopened at 33 Witherspoon St. Feb. 1. The new shop features separated stations set against a backdrop of black slate. Mr. Zingaro’s signature sports memorabilia and flat panel TVs still line the walls.

“It’s like the old shop, but better,” he says. “There’s more room, but I wanted to keep the same atmosphere. There’s still a coffee station, and doughnuts for the kids.”

In addition to reopening Mike’s, Mr. Zingaro also has the challenge of running a second shop in his hometown of Jackson.

“I opened Zingaro’s in the summer of 2009,” he says. “It’s tough because people always want you in both locations, but Jackson can hold its own. I’ve got a great staff and people really know my workers. I’ll be spending most of my time in Princeton. I’ve been in town for 12 years so people expect to see me at the shop.”

One of four brothers, Mr. Zingaro’s family was initially surprised by his career choice, but is proud of his success. “All my other brothers finished college, but everyone has their own niche,” Mr. Zingaro says. And they like having a barber in the family. “If they need a good cut or have an important event they know where to come — me,” he says with a laugh.

Mr. Zingaro’s only worry is that he might be a part of a dying breed. “Women have a wide array of spas and salons to choose from, but the barbershop is fading as the older generation retires,” he says. “There aren’t too many places for a guy to shoot the bull and get a haircut, but I guess that’s what makes the shops around today such community landmarks.”

He’s hopeful a new generation will be inspired to take up the scissors and razor to fill the gap. “It’s a great job,” Mr. Zingaro

says. “Anyone looking at taking up a trade should consider becoming a barber. I’m not stuck sitting in an office and get to meet great people all day. What could be any better?”