Fourth-Generation Haircutter Opens Barber Museum On UWS

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A museum on the Upper West Side is teaching the neighborhood about the art and history behind a craft everyone is familiar with, but few truly know about — barbering.

The Barber Shop Museum on Columbus Avenue and West 74th Street is the brainchild of fourth-generation barber Arthur Rubinoff, who also owns the Reamir & Co chain of barbershops. Rubinoff opened the museum in June as a tribute to his father, who moved the family from Uzbekistan during the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Rubinoff's father, a barber in Uzbekistan, started our working part-time in New York City barbershops while he adjusted to the new country and received his master barber's licence within two years. After opening the family's first shop in New York, Rubinoff's father began to amass the collection of vintage barbering artifacts that now decorate the Barber Shop Museum.

When Rubinoff was younger he didn't have an appreciation for his father's collection, but these days he's adding to it. The fourth-generation barber estimates to have more than 1,000 pieces including vintage barber chairs dating back to the 16th century, vintage barber poles and tools such as scissors, straight-razors, a blow dryer from the 1930s and hand-powered clippers.

"To me it was junk, but within years when I got married and became a father myself and when I lost my father it became all sentimental," Rubinoff said. "So instead of selling it, or throwing it out or giving it away I started buying more."

The Barber Shop Museum space on Columbus Avenue isn't big enough to hold the collection, so Rubinoff rotates items between a warehouse in Queens and the museum, he said. When asked to name his favorite piece of the collection, Rubinoff struggled picking just one and said that he has a personal connection to each piece.

In addition to showing off the vintage merchandise, the Barber Shop Museum seeks to educate its visitors on the history of barbering. Because barbers have steady hands they were often trusted with dental and medical work, especially in times of war. The iconic red, white and blue poles were first installed outside barbershops to notify people in times of medical emergencies.

Rubinoff said he opened the Barber Shop Museum of the Upper West Side because it's a family-friendly area and recommended that people stop by with their kids to learn about the barbering trade. The museum is free to visit and appointments can also be made for a haircut and a shave in the vintage space.

"I respect all the barbers in the world and all the stylists," Rubinoff said. "Because we are not only barbers and stylists but people talk to us in difficult times, they come it to get opinions or advice. It becomes like a family."

Photos by Brendan Krisel/Patch