Dan's Papers - November 16, 2007 - Hampton Tradition XIII

Visiting the local barbershop where men gather mostly to get their hair cut is an American tradition. But while men talk politics, hunting or fishing in that sanctuary, when you are in that chair getting your haircut, you are one on one with the man who truly knows what's going on in town. In Amagansett that man is Vinnie Mazzeo, owner of Vinnie's Barber Shop. His shop has the comfort level of grandfather's hunting lodge, as photos of prize fish, naval vessels, hunting game and sports teams adorn the walls. There are rows of good luck currencies from all over the world and exotic licenses plates from St. Maarten, Aruba and Bon Bini are on display.

The two barber chairs in the shop are authentic porcelain Emil Paidbar of Chicago and are over 75 years old. Vinnie is very proud of the chairs and noted that he has cut the hair of five generations of Wainwrights on them. His clientele is that loyal. Vinnie is from Sag Harbor and still gets his haircut from Marty, his childhood barber there, who also used to cut Howard Hughes' hair.

After growing up in Sag Harbor as the proud son of a Bulova Watch factory worker, Vinnie fondly remembers cutting hair on the United States Navy Destroyer USS Johnston. His joke is that he had to cut in between the roll of the waves, which made it tough to do the flat top cuts. After his time in the Navy, Vinnie came back to take over the practice of barber Peter Rana in 1975. Although also located in Amagansett, it was at a different location. Five years later he moved to his present location, just east of the Mobil Station on Route 27. He has built a loyalty among his customers as all good small town local barbers do.

While I was in the shop, Kathleen Bennett waited as her husband Steven got his haircut from Vinnie, as he has for the past 25 years. In fact, there are many photos hanging on the wall of young bonackers who got their first haircuts from Vinnie next to an old sticker that reads "Endangered Species: The Bonacker." The young boys who were waiting their turn all said hello to Vinnie and he knew all of their names. Vinnie's Barbershop is small town American tradition at its best.

Now assisting Vinnie is his 27-year-old son Nick Mazzeo, who is happy to be working with his dad and knowing that the family tradition will continue well into the 21st century. The father/son team works well together and the good vibes are felt. Vinnie noted that everyone in his family has had a hand in the haircutting business as both his wife Robin, who is now retired, and daughter Lauryn are skilled in cutting women's hair. His proud smile, as he told these facts, demonstrated why you are in the best of hands at Vinnie's Barbershop.

Years ago, I remember hearing some young Wall Street fella talking about where he received an expensive haircut in the city. Paul Ryan, a retired Wall Street wizard, overheard and said, "I go to Vinnie's, pay $17 and get the best haircut." Three other gentlemen at that bar concurred.

Vinnie's grandfather's national cash register is used to ring up all sales at the shop, and he is very proud of his grandfather's representation. The only new twist in the barbershop is the flat screen TV that faces the waiting area. In yesteryear men use to read and reread old magazines while eavesdropping on the conversations of those in the barber chairs, but now, while still eavesdropping, those waiting can watch their favorite program on the high definition flat screen.

As so many things change rapidly out here in the Hamptons, some things stay the same. One of those unchanged realities is the tradition of grandfather, son and grandson all getting their haircut at the same barbershop.

Vinnie starts cutting hair at 6:30 a.m. and finishes around 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations aren't needed and everyone receives special treatment. Vinnie's Barber Shop is a true Hampton tradition.