Mike's Barber Shop challenges Rialto, Continental for local clientele

While some students may be skeptical about the quality of barbershops around the University, Mike's Barber Shop assures potential patrons that its services are a cut above the competition's.

"We offer a quality product in a quality, upscale environment," Mike's Barber Shop's Frank Whyte said. "We wanted to offer a unique environment to Princeton, one that the present customers would feel happy and comfortable [in] and one that, if somebody never saw us before, [he] would look in and say, 'This is different. It's interesting.' "

Mike's Barber Shop, located at 16-1/2 Witherspoon St., recently joined Rialto and Continental as one of three competing establishments in downtown Princeton.

Mike's offers unisex, generic haircuts in a modern, masculine-geared atmosphere. Sports memorabilia line the walls, flat-screen TVs are positioned at every station and black leather couches on newly varnished wood floors add an upscale air to what is essentially a traditional barber shop layout.

"[Mike's] seems like a nice place, the inside is very nice," Sean McGowan '06, who has been to Mike's twice, said in an email. "All the places in town are pretty expensive, so I figured I'd at least give my money to a guy trying to get himself established."

Mike's was opened six weeks ago by founder and owner Mike Zangaro. Three of the four original employees came to Mike's from Rialto's Barber Shop at 128 Nassau St.

Starting at $21 for a men's haircut, prices at Mike's are comparable to those of other barbershops in the Princeton area. Beard trims run at $10, men's hot lather shaves are $28 and a female barber gives standard women's cuts at $30 and up.

Though primarily a male-targeted business, Mike's serves male and female customers of all ages and welcomes student walk-ins.

"So far, we've had a run of seniors," Whyte said. "I guess they're getting their hair cut before they go into hibernation to do their theses."

Continental Barber Shop, also on Witherspoon Street, offers a homier, more family-owned feel.

"It's great here, it's an old-school Italian barbershop and you really can't find these anywhere today," said Greg Raymond, coach of the men's lacrosse team, who has been a Continental customer for three years.

Brothers Bert and Tony Sferra founded Continental Barber Shop 42 years ago at 38 Witherspoon St. Today, Tony Sferra has retired and Irena Wolinski owns the shop which, according to staff, has remained fundamentally unchanged.

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"This is a barber shop," said founder Bert Sferra, who, like the rest of his staff, is not one to waste words.

The staff of three provides basic men's hair cuts and beard trims for $28 and $14, respectively.

At Rialto's, men's cuts cost $20 while women's cuts begin at $25 by appointment.

None of the three barbershops provides chemical treatments such as dyes or perms.

Though three barbershops in close proximity may seem excessive, Whyte believes that Mike's offers a distinctly modern, contemporary alternative to other options. "The whole atmosphere of the place is ... different than anything else in town when it comes to a barbershop."

Bert Sferra at Continental had little to say about the competition a block away. "There's plenty of opportunity for everybody," he said.