It had been nearly 15 years since my last trip to New York, so when my wife and I arrived Wednesday…read morefor a getaway and 4th of July celebration, I knew I needed a fresh cut and beard trim. I'm someone who gets his haircut and beard done weekly, and I spent hours researching barbershops on Google, Yelp, and Instagram. That's how I came across Chaps & Co at 230 Park Avenue, and I couldn't have made a better choice.
I noticed this location at 230 Park Avenue didn't have any reviews yet, and I knew I would be the first to leave one--which felt important because others need to know about this gem.
I was able to book a 10:00 AM appointment for Thursday and arrived about 15 minutes early. My barber, Huseyn, greeted me right away, and we started chatting as if we'd known each other for years. I showed him photos of my haircuts from my regular barbers in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, along with the different styles I've had over time. Right before 10:00 AM, we walked into the shop--which was super clean, ultra-luxurious, and stocked with top-tier products.
When I told Huseyn what I wanted, he looked at me and said, "Don't worry, I got you." From there, we kept talking and getting to know each other, sharing stories about our lives. Never once did I question Huseyn or what he was doing--it honestly felt like he had cut my hair many times before, even though it was our first appointment.
About halfway through, Huseyn smiled and said, "Man, you weren't joking--your hair is really thick," which I usually take as a good or bad sign with a new barber. In the past, I've had barbers give up or rush through a cut when they realized how much work thick hair can be, but that wasn't the case here. The entire haircut and beard trim took about an hour and a half, which is standard for me, and Huseyn's process and flow were a perfect 10+.
He's very mature for his age and shared how hard he worked to earn his spot at Chaps & Co. From what I saw of his skill and attention to detail, I can confidently say Huseyn is hands down the best--or at the very least one of the best--barbers at this shop. We connected on a deeper level, too; we share the same faith and talked about Christianity and what it has done for our lives. His Instagram handle, @barbergotfaith, couldn't be more fitting after hearing his story.
After my cut, I told Huseyn I noticed Chaps & Co at 230 Park Avenue didn't have any reviews yet but had a deep history in barbering, and that I had to leave a review even though I was only in town for a quick trip. I've been fortunate in life to experience comfort and luxury, and I'm so thankful I got matched with Huseyn for this visit. When I met up with my wife afterward, she was blown away--she knows my barbers in LA and NorCal well, and she said, "WOW WOW WOW--whoever cut your hair is right up there with the best." I told her I had no idea who was going to cut me and that I just got incredibly lucky.
Whether you're a local looking for a new shop, someone without a regular barber, or visiting New York for work or fun and need a haircut or beard trim, I can confidently say Chaps & Co is your shop, and Huseyn is your barber. You will not be disappointed--take it from someone who has been getting weekly cuts and lineups for the last 25 years.
Thank you, Huseyn, for the amazing conversation, for making me feel at home, for the sharp cut and lineup, and for getting me right for my stay here in New York. I have no doubt you'll one day have your own barbershop--even though we didn't talk about it, I recognize talent, hard work, and a great personality, and those three things alone will take you far in life. Keep up the amazing work. Until next time, my brother.