Local barber gets creative to bring in new clientele

Story and photos by Laura Fawaz

Sanitizing groceries, trying new baking recipes, taking up biking, and being in desperate need of a haircut, were just a few signs of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many people and businesses suffered a financial loss, but none more than those who actually had to shut down for health concerns, such as barbershops and salons. Just ask Viktor Ivezaj, owner of the Forest Barbershop. Fortunately, he’s come out on the other side and business has picked back up.

“We’ve recovered nicely. There’s a lot of walk by traffic, and we’re still in downtown,” Ivezaj said.

The pandemic hasn’t been the only challenge facing traditional barbershops like Ivezaj’s.

Formally, the barbershops were seen as a budget avenue for men’s grooming. With recent styles and tastes changing, and many feeling the need to go to fancy salons or low-budget chains, the traditional barbershop has turned into a nostalgic and vintage symbol. So, to survive and even widen their clientele, many barbershops have had to be creative.

Ivezaj, a barber for 33 years, purchased what used to be Mel’s Golden Razor two years ago, just before the pandemic hit. Located at 595 Forest Street, the location has been a barbershop going back to 1968. Ivezaj was attracted to the location, as he grew up in the Plymouth-Canton area and attended area schools in the early 1970s.

Looking to expand his business, Ivezaj decided to also focus on children’s haircuts, even bringing in the fun chairs that are designed as rockets and cars to help ease fears and tensions of the little ones.

“We saw an opportunity, where there’s just not a lot of places for kids. So, we brought some chairs for them, to help them sit better and enjoy the experience. We also have prizes after their haircuts, and rewards,” said Ivezaj.

He added that a lot of parents may not know where to take their kids for haircuts, so they are hoping that they will come to a locally-owned shop, verses the chain locations.

“The American dream, owning a small business in the place where you grew up, seeing the people you went to school with. It’s amazing” added Ivezaj.

He has two other barbers working with him at the location – Francis Crouch and Shelly Schaffer. Both appreciate the downtown location and the community.

“We love Plymouth,” Schaffer said. “We’re all involved in everything in Plymouth, we go and mingle with our customers in the same things.”

As for Ivezaj, he couldn’t be happier. Having come out of the pandemic has given him a new perspective on life. He’s just happy to be working and doing what he loves.

“I really enjoy my job a great deal. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he said. “I don’t care what circumstances lie ahead, as long as I can walk and as long as I can stand up, I’m going to be cutting hair. I don’t ever see myself retiring, because it’s stimulating being around good people. I love to meet good people.”

The Forest Barbershop is open six days a week (they are closed Mondays). No appointments are necessary.

OWNER: Viktor Ivezaj

595 Forest Ave, Plymouth

(734) 392-7330

HOURS: TUESDAY-FRIDAY 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. SATURDAY 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. SUNDAY 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Monday