Shane Bruno outside his new shop on West Front Street.
Shane Bruno could use a shave. But give the guy a break.
He’s hunkering down with his girlfriend and partner, Patricia Gilmartin, as they hustle to open their first business together, Old World Shaving Parlor, at 4B West Front Street, Red Bank.
On Wednesday, redbankgreen found Bruno in the half-completed shop, where he built and has started staining three individual chair stalls. When completed, the place will have an early 20th-century air to it, with a hexagonal-tile floor, sepia-toned photos on the walls and bare-bulb Edison lights overhead.
The services, too, will evoke an atmosphere undone by unisex hair salons filled with lucite decor and throbbing music: that of the genteel barber shop, a place for men seeking not manicures and facials but the basics of grooming.
And if all this sounds awfully familiar, it’s the result of an eerie coincidence: the same address was home to Marascio’s Barber Shop through almost the entirety of the 20th century.
Bruno works on lighting fixtures for the shop, which will feature three barber chairs and a shoe shine stand in the front window.
Marascio’s, like the ramshackle row of buildings in which it stood
opposite the mouth of Broad Street, was stalwart in its resistance to
the fickleness of modernity. In fact, the floor is a relic of the
Marascio era.
“It feels good to revive what he did,” Bruno says of the original Marascio, Domenick.
In recent years, the shop was home to Mimi and Cooper James’s dress shop, 4B, which after taking its name from the address expanded, and then consolidated, at 12 West Front, where it remains.
Old World Shaving is aimed at creating an oasis for men, says Bruno, a place where they can “get away from it all” for a few minutes while getting a hot-towel, straight-razor shave ($25 or $30), a simple haircut ($30) and a shoeshine (price TBD). A shoulder massage is part of the premium package.
For cigar smoking customers, Bruno says he will install a humidor, so their favorite smokes will be ready for them. Of course, they’ll have to take them out back to a small patio to enjoy them.
It’s a formula for a “recession-proof” business, says Bruno, whose mother owned a hair salon and who had a raft of uncles in the barbering business. Bruno himself has worked as a hair stylist, and Gilmartin has experience managing haircare shops.
And shoe shining? Bruno, a 33-year-old Ocean County native and Sea Girt resident, says he spent six years as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Infantry out of Fort Bragg.
“I know how to shine a shoe,” he says. “I know how to clean a floor.”
Whether male visitors to Red Bank need a $30 aromatic shaves remains to be demonstrated. Just a couple of doors east of Old World Shaving is Domenick’s Billy’s Barber Shop, an old world place without the capital letters, where a quick haircut and shave have been on offer for decades.
Cardner’s Barber on Mechanic Street, Rocky’s Barber Shop on Wallace and Art’s on Monmouth all offer some variation on the theme, also.
Old World’s approach, though, will be to emphasize indulgent service, says Bruno. “You come in here, it’s like you’re on a red carpet,” he says.
He and Gilmartin hope to open their shop in early April.
What happened to Billy's?
Times are tough and were in a recession, great idea to go out and spend $30 on a hair cut. What class is this place catering too?
how long does a 25 dollar shave last for ?
Massages and stogies sounds more like a gentlemens club to me.
I can smell the Clubman now. If this joint was open today, the hot topic would be the Dolly Parton lesbian story. The concept is great, but for me, it all comes down to the stogie. The way I see it, $30 for a haircut at a barber shop has one helluva cost premium built in relative to the rest of the barbershops in the USA. (Barbershop - Where strait men cut the hair of strait men while talking about topics that strait men find interesting….like lesbians) If Shane is going to be passing out Nat Sherman rubostos, for his patrons to take out to the patio to shoot the shit with, you can count me out. I have no problems with Nat Shermans, I mean they were good enough for Dick Lynch. But for $30, I want something tasty and big that burns slow. And not to be superficial, but I am thinking the cigar should be in the $10-15 range. And Shane, please don't rub my back. Patricia maybe, but you….not so much.
Good lord, what is wrong with you people? Is he hurting any of you? Can't you wish the guy luck?
I'd like to thank Mr. Bruno for opening up a shop in Red Bank - we need it. Best of luck.
I will, in all likelihood, continue to be a patron of Rocky's However, I wish this guy the best.
I tip my maroon beret and wish good fortune to you, Citizen Bruno. I look forward to visiting your shop.
$30 for a haircut? I wish this guy luck, anyone opening a business deserves a shot. I give them credit for trying. But it's just another over priced establishment in Red Bank. Yet another example amongst so many of how Red Bank retail and shops have gone far out of reach to the common middle class people. Who middle class can really afford, or want to spend in Red Bank these days? Co-Co Pari? That pet shop with $3,000 dogs, that are probably puppy mill dogs?? Just to name a few.
Red Bank tends to ebb and flow with the economy through history. There will come a day hopefully when we get some of the old Red Bank back, the town that the middle class could afford to shop in. Prowns, Woolworths, etc.
And maybe this will drive away the invasion of all those rude rich NYC people who's attitudes pervade Broad St these days!
I wish them good luck and I bet they find a market, especially if they maintain late night weekend hours. Rocky's should rejoice, they now have a good excuse to increase their moderately priced haircuts. Upon a recent stint working for the state (collecting unemployment) I discovered buying a good pair of barber shears and giving myself a regular buzz saved me the bi weekly $15. + $5. tip that I used to get at Rocky's. Necessity dictated that at the time……I still buzz my own head but realize not all men can pull that off and some don't want such a blue collar look.
In this day of the metro sexual, with so many older men dying their hair (usually badly) I bet this pair can pull off a coup and succeed. The shop will need some very good marketing, perhaps a valet service as there is no real good parking available at the location and some quirky hours that will link them up with the Red/Downtown club crowd. Good Luck!!
Good idea Dave and while we are at it maybe Garmany can move out and Boscovs will move in. Goodbye Tiffanys and hello Claires! We have to get a Value City Furniture at the corner of Mechanic and Broad and a least three "Dollar Stores" on Broad Street. We need a Walgreens with a drive-up Pharmacy on the corner of West Front and Broad. Red Bank can become the "Discount Town" instead of the "Hip(expensive)Town"
CORRECTION=====Sorry I meant a bi monthly(not weekly) haircut at Rocky's
Shane cut my hair when he worked at Male Ego in Manalapan (quite possibly the lamest town in all of NJ) and he's a great barber. Good guy with good chops and to date they still don't have anyone there that does as good a job as Shane does, at least in my opinion. Support him if you have the shekel's in your pocket to do so. Good luck Man, see you when you open shop.
Be Good, J to the P
One less vacant storefront in Red Bank…Congratulations and best of luck!
30.00 is worth the cut-Shane has been cutting my hair for years and his cut sells itself–He has had more customer's come to him just because of his work…Is 30.00 that outrageous?
Best of Luck Ive been waiting for a place like this for years A mans place where you can indulge yourself in an occasional shave and get a good haircut ? Sounds good to me. What about the 100"s of women's salons in this town ? Who is jumping on them for their extravagant prices ? Give the guy a break If he is good he will make it and be adding something to the town which it needs right now
Now if Apple would just open a store here that would drive the foot traffic up not another freaking bank or high end clothing store. The freehold mall would be half empty with out them . Love them or hate them there stores are packed all the time its amazing
I can't speak for the rest of you, but it sounds like many of you have never gotten a hair cut & sytling or a shave from Shane. I had my first hair cut from Shane over 8 yrs ago. Since then, I have only trusted my hair with him. My average round trip commute from NY and now Northern NJ to the various shops he has worked at has been about 2.5hrs, and well worth it. His shop will provide an experience that "Men" can afford to enjoy weekly. I can get away from my normal grind get a "Top Notch" haircut and style, a hot shave and an sip on a espresso or a glass of cognac, while smoking a Romeo and Julietta cigar.
I am looking forward to your grand opening. You will have my continued patronage. I recommend that all of you go in for a hair cut and styling once. That is all that it will take for you become a permanent client like I am.
I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK
NOBODY DESERVES IT MORE THAN YOU.
YOU ADD A TOUCH OF CLASS TO REDBANK
THEY ARE GOING TO LOVE YOU
GO GET EM' BIG GUY
I've been getting my haircut from Shane for over ten years. He's outstanding and worth every penny. I'm so excited for him and his new shop. I think this is a great idea for men to experience. A top cut and shave for 30 bucks is not asking alot. His work speaks for itself and to tell you the truth, for the class and character that Shane and his shop will bring to Red Bank, 30 bucks is a bargain for his services. Can't wait buddy!!
I'M SO PROUD OF YOU SHANE. I KNOW THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOUR DREAM AND I KNOW THAT THIS WILL BE A HUGE SUCCESS FOR YOU. YOUR WORK SPEAKS FOR ITSELF AND RED BANK WILL SOON FIND OUT JUST HOW TALENTED YOU ARE. THE PLACE IS GOING TO BE GREAT! LOVE YAH KID!!
Boy deserri sounds a tad disgruntled. An ex maybe? If so, get over it sweety.
best of luck … do they have a website?
Congratulations Shane!! I wish you the best. I will be in purchasing some Gift Certificates for my husband and sons!!
WHO CARES WE HAVE TO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS IN RED BANK……
yea, ^^ whiners being one of them….
Dude, change the name to Shave and a Haircut.
Old world bla bla bla sounds to Smithvillish.
Shave and a Haircut has more marketing potential to get the attention of the clientel you are trying to atract.
Congratulations, on creating the life you've always dreamed of, Shane! Never forget… If God has ordained this shop, He will also be faithful to bless you & prosper you in it. (Jeremiah 29:11) No negative word spoken against you will change God's plans for your life. (Isaiah 54:17) Watch as your enemy's become your footstool and you climb higher than ever before. (Psalm 110:1) Keep following your heart and may your dreams become your reality, all the days of your life. (Matthew 6:33) God protect you always. (Hebrews 13:5)
Hollywood,CA
I have ordained this shop. I am always happy to see my children prosper. It allows them to contribute more of their earnings into my collection baskets. God Bless and enjoy the weekend!
Shane
Best wishes from your farmer cousins to you and Patricia! Wish we could have been at the opening celebration! New customers will be very pleased with the Bruno hospitality and everyone in the community will benefit from your great work ethic. Your Mom, Diana (Avanti Salon), and your uncles are smiling from the heavens as you make them proud. And pamper your customers to feel good about themselves in a calmer world. I wish you Good fortune and wisdom in a wonderful business!
To Dave & rest of the usual moaners,
Went and got a great cut for $25, which is not that outrageous. Shane is a great guy, gives a awesoem cut and is a true professional. I plan on being a long-time customer. I suggest you all stop in say hi and if you can scrape together the $25 get a cut, I think you'll be sold as well.
Best of luck shane!!!
I drove by this place last night and it looks GREAT!!! I hope the haircut is as good as the ambiance, if it is he will have a customer for a long time.
JC