Business Profile: Pleasantville Barber Shop, Pleasantville
Walk into Pleasantville Barber Shop for a haircut and it can be a little bit like entering a time capsule.
That’s just the way Gabriel Yakubov likes it, who at 32 years old has been the owner of the Wheeler Avenue business for the past four years, the same location where Joe’s Barber Shop operated for some three decades.
Yakubov likes to bring some of the old-fashioned barber shop feel to his legion of customers, a place where a guy can quickly get his hair cut, and perhaps a shave, and spend a little time socializing.
“You want to come to a barber shop environment, guys always talk about sports, they talk about politics, even though we try to stay away from it,” said Yakubov who emigrated with his family from Uzbekistan to Brooklyn when he was a child. “I tell my people two things to stay away from–religion and politics. Guys want to feel comfortable. I believe so far it’s working.”
Of course, all the efforts to instill an old-time ambiance doesn’t mean much if the service isn’t good and the place isn’t clean. That’s where Yakubov makes sure that he and his crew of haircutters work hard to give the public exactly what they’re looking.
Customers, especially some of the younger clientele, might bring in photos of their favorite actor or celebrity with the latest style haircut. Yakubov and his staff try to get as close as they can to what the customer requests.
“We try to give them exactly what they want,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re here to listen to whatever you ask for to accomplish your goal.”
Pleasantville Barber Shop also sees mothers and fathers bring their sons for cuts and trimmings. Sometimes a young boy and his dad will be sitting in chairs side by side, Yakubov said. Other times, it’ll be the mom who makes sure her son looks good for school or a special occasion. Depending on the day, between three and five haircutters can be found in the store.
In addition to haircuts, Pleasantville Barber Shop also provides hot towel shaves, something that used to be commonplace when men went in for a haircut but doesn’t resonate for some in today’s generation. Similar to a hair and nail salon for women, Yakubov said that it provides the customer a brief respite from their hectic schedule.
“You’ve got 15 minutes to yourself, nobody’s bothering you. Most of our clients they pretty much pass out for that 15 minutes,” Yakubov said of the relaxation of a shave. “When you wake up you’re all energized and ready to go.”
Like most any business, Yakubov is always looking for ways to improve the shop. Since buying the business he remodeled the interior.
While growing up, Yakubov, a Queens resident, didn’t plan on becoming a barber. But helping out in his father’s shop in Brooklyn in what amounted to an apprenticeship, he grew to enjoy the business. At 21, Yakubov went out on his own when he got married and has been the owner of a Westchester barber shop ever since.
He learned of a shop for sale 12 years ago at the RoseHillShopping Center in Thornwood. Yakubov bought that one, and sold it two years later before finding another to buy in Hartsdale, which his nephew now runs.
In both of his shops, Yakubov is dedicated to making sure the customer is comfortable and leaves happy.
“I want to make sure the place is clean,” he said. “You want to come to a good, clean environment. Just try and make sure the client comes out with a smile on his face.”
Pleasantville Barber Shop is located at 5 Wheeler Ave. It’s open seven days a week: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. No appointments are necessary. For more information, call 914-769-6948.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
