Hunting Park: Taking The Barber Shop To A New Level

This week, I dedicated a lengthy amount of time to Los Brothers Barber Shop, located on the corner of 5th and Hunting Park Ave. There were too many rich stories to tell, too many for the article. Here's some additional notes on Los Brothers:

-Some of the barbers are still in school, as noted by the sign on the mirror of the shop. They attend class and work part time at the shop, and are quite proud of their student workers.

-David Montero, 19, went to the University of Rhode Island for a year, before returning to Philly. He sent me a text after the story package was completed, giving me further information on some of his life story. This information is something that could be followed up on, but for privacy reasons, I won't disclose the information. He returned to Philadelphia after inheriting the house his mother left in her passing. He currently lives with his grandmother who is sick. He'll be attending CCP in January, aiming for his Bachelor's.

-Reinaldo Gibbs (receiving a haircut from Ramon Laquez) spoke of how families move together in the Latino community. And how most families don't want to leave their country, but want their children to leave and assimilate. He spoke how one of the biggest challenges for parents is to teach their children English without an accent, because there are better chances at getting a good job. He also spoke of how community solidarity is what makes people want to stay in areas where the quality of life may have been decreasing. They stick together.

And a special thanks to Yonairi Osiris Jimenez for giving me the closest shave I've ever experienced!

Ryan Ruth & Marissa Murtaugh
Hunting Park Group 10