Frank LaSpisa's landlord kicked him out of his barber shop in New York City more than a decade ago. But instead of closing up shop, LaSpisa moved his business to Ralph's Fifth Avenue Haircutting in Pelham.
LaSpisa lives in Yonkers but jumped on the opportunity to open a shop in Pelham. Another barber shop had already existed at the current location, so LaSpisa had a solid foundation of customers when he opened.
"This is one of the oldest shops in town, before me," LaSpisa said. "It's the most known."
Though he is the owner, LaSpisa also cuts hair himself. What sets him apart from many other barber shops is that he offers a straight-edge razor shave to customers. LaSpisa said many barber shops no longer offer what was once a staple of the business because barbers and shop owners think it is unsanitary. He avoids that issue through the use of disposable razor blades.
"We're from the old school," LaSpisa said. "A lot of people ask if we do it and say 'Oh wow!'"
LaSpisa has a wife and two children, a 28-year-old son who lives with him and his wife in Yonkers, and a 23-year-old daughter who lives in Larchmont.
Do you get your hair cut at Ralph's Fifth Avenue Haircutting? Do you wish more barber shops offered straight edge razor shaves? Comment below, on Facebook or Twitter @DailyPelham.
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