Empire Barber & Shave Co.

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. At dawn, when most barbershops are quiet, Empire Barber & Shave Co. came alive with an unusual routine. A delivery driver arrived early every morning, carrying not just supplies but also a mysterious box wrapped in brown paper. No one knew what it contained until one day, the shop’s regulars noticed something strange—an old-fashioned pocket watch appeared among the usual shaving cream and razors. Soon enough, everyone started guessing its purpose. Was it a timepiece for keeping track of perfect shaves? Or maybe just an antique for show? One day, after finishing his last customer, the barber opened the box himself—and revealed nothing more than a tiny bottle of beard oil labeled ‘For Extraordinary Men.’ The regulars burst into laughter, realizing that the whole mystery had been a whimsical prank from their friendly neighborhood delivery driver.

2. Late one night, as the streets of Brooklyn slept, a delivery driver pulled up to Empire Barber & Shave Co., puzzled by the flickering neon sign and open door. Inside, he found an old man humming softly while carefully arranging rows of vintage razors on the counter. The old man looked up with twinkling eyes and asked, 'Need a trim, my friend?' The delivery driver laughed nervously, thinking it was some kind of prank. But then, a familiar voice from behind said, 'Hey, Joe—this place is always open for good customers!' Turned out, it was just another late-night visit from a regular who knew the barbershop never truly closed.'

3. Late one morning, while most shops were just opening their doors, an old gentleman walked into Empire Barber & Shave Co., carrying something unusual under his arm. As he approached the counter, the barber raised an eyebrow: ‘Good morning, sir. What brings you in so early?’ The gentleman smiled and revealed a small hamster cage. ‘Just thought I’d drop off my neighbour’s pet,’ he said, “he keeps running away from home.”

4. At midnight, when even the city’s subways stopped running, a delivery driver pulled up outside Empire Barber & Shave Co., puzzled by the flickering neon sign and open door. The door swung open with a creak, revealing an old barber standing in a pool of dim light. ‘Late night?’ he asked with a twinkle in his eye. The delivery driver nodded, handed over his package, and left as quickly as he’d come—only to realize he had forgotten something important back at Empire Barber. A few minutes later, the same barber emerged from behind the counter, whistling softly, carrying a freshly shaved head of hair that belonged to no one but himself.