In many communities, the barbershop is the hub for social expression for men. Politics, economics, sports and relationship drama are topics spoken amongst friends and neighbors. Traditionally, barber shops cater to racial ethnicities representing the local community.
Along 42nd and Baltimore Avenue there is one of the most multicultural barber shops I ever encountered. Universal Cutz is a melting pot of African, Asian, Caucasian, Indian and Vietnamese men of all ages. Students from Drexel University and University of Pennsylavnia try to squeeze in before class.
With no competition until Chestnut Street and near the 34 Trolley and 30 Bus, this social center is the “exchange of information” as described by owner Troy Taylor.
Fluent in English, Spanish and Patois—a combination of English and African Creole spoken in Jamaica—Taylor has spent the past four years with Universal Cutz, but has been cutting hair for over ten years. Taylor has trained two apprentices who later received their barber’s license.
“My main objective is to make [the shop] multicultural—to make the atmosphere relaxed,” Taylor said.
Eric Brooks, a Clifton Heights pizza shop owner, was sitting in the chair getting his hair cut.
“I mean look at the floors, look at the mirrors. You just don’t see that in other places,” Brooks said.
Similarly, his associates, Daniel Robinson and Leon, are veterans on the clippers. Robinson started cutting back in 1988. We all laughed when I told them that was the year I was born.
Leon, teacher of hungari—a form of martial arts—enjoys the shop and the notorious animals that pass by. During the summertime, there are tables and chairs outside the shop where customers can eat their lunch, but one day there was an unsuspected visitor. A squirrel climbed into the front gate and got stuck. Days later, a whole family of squirrels came back to save him.
Universal Cutz was formally located on 43rd and Pine Streets and went by the name Bling Bling Hair Styles. In the next five years, Universal Cutz will redecorate its exterior—putting in new gates and signs. Furthermore, Taylor has dreams of expanding into North Philadelphia to open a female hair salon and later a full service spa.
Every Tuesday students receive $2 off cuts, every Wednesday children ten-years-old and under are charged $6 and every Thursday senior citizens pay $7. The shop even does braiding and eyebrow arching for women. Taylor encourages walk-ins and appointments.
Stories of squirrels climbing gates, an older Asian woman who never paid for a hair cut, a twenty-four year old Russian scholar and a man named 88 who is the neighborhood “hustle man” are the best memories these men share while working at the barber shop.
Trenae McDuffie, Walnut Hill
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