Ocean City Barber’s Final Cut is Near

By Tim Kelly

“It’s not how fast you cut … it’s how good you cut fast.”

Those words, catchy, reassuring and, OK, just a little bit cocky, adorned the front door of Andy’s Ocean City Barber Shop for the last eight years. But no more.

The sign was one of the first things to go when Andy Abbott learned the economics of today’s Ocean City real estate market would force the shop to close. The iconic location at 735 Atlantic Ave., believed to have been a barber shop for at least 30 years, will start a new chapter at the end of business on Nov. 10.

For Abbott and his loyal customers, the words on the door were more than a slogan. They represented Andy’s way of doing business and his customer’s expectations: a great haircut, at a great price, on a limited time schedule.

“Clip ‘n Git,” it says on the window. If that puts any pressure on Andy, a one-man show, you’d never know it. The 68-year-old native of Scullville, Egg Harbor Township, seems to be enjoying himself as much as his customers.

“I like to make friends with people and listen to their stories,” he said. “I like them to be comfortable when they come in here, and I try to make them look their best.”

Haircutting is only half the deal at Andy’s. Patrons enter a man-cave environment that is inviting to guys of all ages and the occasional female customer. The walls were adorned with album covers from the 1960s and ’70s and the music pulsates from a state-of-the-art sound system.

“It’s more than a haircut, this is an experience,” said Michael, one of the many 5-star on-line reviewers. “For (the price of a haircut) you get to ride back to the ’70s while you get your cut, no nonsense, in and out in 15 minutes but whistling a Beatles song for the rest of the day. Wow that was cool.”

After spending so many years as a barber, Andy is retiring. “I’m hanging up my clippers,” he said. “I was planning to keep going for two more years. It’s still the same plan. I’m just retiring earlier.”

He leased the shop for eight years and learned recently the building, consisting of two retail and four residential condo units, was going up for sale. He made a solid offer to buy his space and he was close to a deal, he said. But another offer came in at a substantially higher number, effectively sealing the fate of the barber shop.

Andy’s soon-to-be former space will be taken over by his next door neighbor, Heart Beet, a vegan restaurant.

“Did you hear the bad news?” one customer asked a visitor to the barber shop last week. “Where are we going to go now?”

Andy handed out cards of other hair stylists he recommends, which the customer accepted. But that’s not exactly what the man meant.

“I come for the entertainment as much as I come for the haircut,” customer Mike Monichetti said. “Coming into Andy’s shop is like coming into a rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of ’60s, ’70s and ’80s music.”

“You can talk music, sports, even politics, Andy won’t hold back. I’ve always liked that about him.  But he respects everyone else’s opinion, too,” Monichetti added.

Monichetti, owner of Mike’s Seafood in Sea Isle City, said he doesn’t mind the drive from his Sea Isle home.

“I would drive twice as far if I had to,” he said. “There have been times I’ve driven past the shop and if there’s nobody in there I’ll go grab a cup of coffee and come back. If there are a few people ahead of me, I can relax and hear Andy’s and the customers’ stories. If nobody’s there, I’m going to be on my way in 15 minutes.”

The 465-square-foot shop is divided into two rooms. One has the single barber chair and all the tools of the barber’s trade. The other side has overstuffed couches and recliners, reading material and a video screen.

For customers, the view from the chair is impressive: Gaze out the huge window and catch the passing scene on Atlantic Avenue, including customers of the bike rental shop across the street and the foot traffic from the Forum and Pavilion motels. Cast your eyes a bit lower and there is an antique steamer trunk with another giant video board, usually displaying footage from whatever artist is playing.

Scattered about, yet neatly arranged, is his vast collection of knick-knacks and collectible items such as an old Coca-Cola cooler and a 1950s vintage bicycle.

Car buffs never know what kind of ride will be parked outside Andy’s Barber Shop, including a 1962 Austin-Healey.

Customers also have the chance to gawk at Andy’s ride, a 2012 Corvette grand sport convertible, frequently parked outside.

If Andy knows a favorite customer is coming in who likes Sinatra, well, then Ol’ Blue Eyes will be crooning. On the day of one of our recent visits, it was a live performance of Procol Harem, a ’60s band one doesn’t hear every day.

When he was in his 20s, Abbot was a bartender at the Tony Mart’s nightclub in Somers Point, where he developed, nurtured and expanded his love of music. With a little prompting, he might tell you a story or two about some of the all-time great musical artists who played at the former showplace on Bay Avenue.

“Where else can you take a break from your day, relax and get a great haircut? No place,” Monichetti said.

Monichetti noted that Andy never fails to ask about his kids and his family.

“He’s just a great guy who also happens to be a great barber,” Monichetti said.

Abbott said while some other old-style barber shops will remain in Ocean City, his is the last place where you can walk in without an appointment.

“We’re the last ‘shot-and-beer’ shop in the area,” he said. “Go anyplace else and they’re going to want you to have an appointment.”

Abbott said he became a barber because of good advice his father gave him: “People’s hair is going to grow.”

He prides himself on doing the extra things: trimming eyebrows and removing nose and ear hair, and vacuuming away any leftover hairs on the collar.

“Guys aren’t going to ask you to clip their nose hairs, but their wives are going to appreciate it,” he said.

The 1969 Oakcrest High graduate was formally trained and licensed, and is experienced in cutting, coloring and styling women’s hair, as well as men’s. He has no qualms about stating his gender preference, however.

“Most guys don’t even look in the mirror when I’m finished,” he said. “They put their hat back on and they’re out the door.”

Just as Andy Abbott soon will be. And with him goes an era.

“I’ll find a new place to get a haircut,” one customer said, “but I’ll never find a new place like this one.”