LI Barbershop 'Labor Of Love' For 2 Brothers Spotlighting History

LINDENHURST, NY — Two brothers are continuing their family’s legacy — and a big part of Lindenhurst’s history.

Stefan Gaudio and Matt Gaudio recently opened The Holy Black, a cruelty-free, Victorian-inspired barbershop at 166 N. Wellwood Ave.

The business specializes in “traditional” American haircuts, which range from styles of the 1920s to the early 1950s.

In addition to modern skin fades and beard lineups, Stefan said that his barbers offer flattops, Jelly Rolls, and pompadours.

“I don't think there's any other barber shop on the island that does traditional haircuts,” he said.

Stefan told Patch he started The Holy Black company in 2013 as an online lifestyle and men's grooming product line.

After experimenting with recipes from old books and partnering with a Long Island chemist, he created aftershaves, shaving soaps and sharpening straight razors — the majority of which are all vegan.

“There was really no point where we needed to test everything on animals,” he said. “I just want to keep everything as easy as possible for someone to choose (The Holy Black products).”

After about two years, the demand for The Holy Black became so successful that he realized he needed help. And so, he enlisted the help of his brother.

“He's kind of the driving force in growing the business,” he said. “He's the one who's always trying to make it bigger and better.”

Although the brothers are not barbers, the pair told Patch that the hair industry runs in their blood. Their grandfather owned a barber shop in Brooklyn with his brother, Stefan said. Their father was a barber, and their mother cut hair out of their childhood home.

“We were always sitting in the chair in the kitchen, watching her cut hair,” said Stefan.

Stefan told Patch that he and Matt never intended to be barbers or work in the hair industry. But when his grandfather passed almost 20 years ago, something ignited inside of him.

“He left me all of his old straight razors and shaving brushes and shaving creams,” he said. “I got really into fixing them up, cleaning them up and using them, and learning how to sharpen them.”

In 2020, the duo saw that 166 N. Wellwood Ave. was for sale. Owning a physical store was never a goal, Stefan said, but it was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.

“It was something we've talked about in the past,” he said. “But the chance to open up a business in your hometown, on the main drag when there's not that many available buildings left — it was something we felt we had to do.”

The brothers have strived to preserve the original interior of the building, and have kept the hardwood floors, ceilings and walls.

The location was built in 1932, and was originally a funeral home, Stefan said; later, the space became an insurance company.

Other aspects of Lindenhurst are also showcased.

The shop’s barber poles are made out of wood found during renovations, Stefan said. The brothers have also refurbished historical photos of Lindenhurst from the 1920s and 1930s.

“It's just been a labor of love,” Stefan said.

The Gaudio brothers also showcased their grandfather’s legacy by framing his barber’s license and portrait on the wall.

Long Island’s barbershop history, Stefan told Patch, is also kept alive.

When Bart’s Barber Shop, a fixture in Sea Cliff since 1934, closed in 2020, the brothers bought one of the chairs. It now sits in The Holy Black, with a plaque to commemorate the story of Bartolomeo Mazzeo, the original owner of Bart’s.

Mazzeo’s grandson will come to The Holy Black as a guest barber, he said, and work out of his grandfather’s chair.

“There's just a lot of history in not just the building, but the antiques and the and the story behind the barbers — it's a legacy,” said Stefan.

Other chairs also have historical value. For example, a friend donated their grandfather’s chair from 1911.

“Thousands of Long Islanders have sat in that chair through the First World War, Second World War. And we still have that chair in service,” said Stefan.

Being a part of the Lindenhurst business district now, in the same town where his family grew up, means everything, he said.

“I think that the only reason we even opened a shop is because we had the opportunity to do it here,” he said. “I see Lindenhurst transforming. There's a lot of younger businesses coming in, there are restaurants opening up — and you just see the opportunity here.”

People can learn more about The Holy Black by clicking here.