The new
Northside Barbershop near Old Town is proof that a little help can go a long way.
A few years ago, shop owner Gilbert Albarez had the too-familiar story of having been laid off from his job and was out of work. After a visit to
Capital Area Michigan Works!, however, he was back on the path to success.
Albarez received assistance through the No Worker Left Behind program to attend the Lansing Barber College, earned his license, and opened the Northside Barbershop on East Grand River in August of 2010.
“Our prices are pretty much the lowest in town,” Albarez says. Northside also offers straight razor shaves with a hot towel, and facials.
“You don’t see that most often in most barbershops anymore,” says Albarez. “But different is better. We can stand out a little bit more than the others.”
Alberez employs four other barbers in the 1,200-square foot shop, and says that so far, business has been going pretty well.
“It’s picking up,” he says. “As the weather gets nicer we’re getting busier every week.”
Source: Gilbert Albarez, Northside Barbershop
Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor
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