The End of an Era: Main Street Barber Shop in Newark, NJ Closes After Over a Century of Service
After more than 100 years of serving the Newark community, the iconic Main Street Barber Shop will close its doors for the final time this Friday. Its current owner, Kim Teti, who has been running the shop for 31 years, is retiring and moving to Florida, marking the end of a historic legacy.
Teti is the sixth owner of this beloved barbershop, which has been a staple in the heart of Newark. Part of the historic Klondike Kate’s building in the Exchange Building—built in 1880 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places—the shop has seen the town and its people change through the decades. The space that once housed a post office, a general store, and even a movie theater is now preparing to transition into a merchandise or to-go meal pickup area for Klondike Kate’s restaurant.
“It’s hard to say goodbye,” Teti admits, clearly emotional about closing this century-old institution. "Because it’s closing after 100-some years, it is history."
A Journey That Began on a Whim
Teti's association with Main Street Barber Shop started unexpectedly. A Wilmington native, she learned barbering at Delcastle Technical High School. After honing her craft under the tutelage of seasoned Italian barbers at the Hotel DuPont, she eventually found herself working in Greenville. One day, while passing through Newark, she spotted the Main Street Barber Shop and decided to inquire about part-time work.
The then-owner, Ralph Burchard, was planning to close the shop for the summer unless he found someone to fill in. To Teti’s surprise, he handed her the keys, and she worked solo throughout that summer. Burchard eventually retired after a fire damaged the shop in 1993, and Teti stepped in to take over full-time, restoring the shop with the help of her husband.
Preserving Tradition in a Changing World
Since taking over, Teti has worked to preserve the shop's classic "antique barber shop" feel. From the vintage barber pole outside to the high ceilings, original cabinets, and old-style barber chairs, she maintained its turn-of-the-century charm. Photos of icons like Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando adorned the walls, while a tile mural depicted Main Street's yesteryear.
“I never wanted to modernize it,” she reflects. “I always wanted it to stay like it was.”
Despite the shop's timeless interior, Newark’s Main Street has transformed around it. From the days of mom-and-pop stores like Jimmy’s Diner to the influx of newer businesses, the town's evolution made Teti nostalgic for its earlier, simpler days.
The Challenges of Running a Century-Old Shop
Operating an old-school barbershop in a modern world came with its challenges. Over time, Teti had to raise her prices from $7 to $20-$25 to keep up with rising costs. The construction of a covered deck for Klondike Kate’s restaurant made the shop less visible, reducing foot traffic.
“Back in the day, it stuck out like a sore thumb,” she says of the shop’s earlier prominence.
Moreover, the clientele changed too. The younger crowd, especially university students, started frequenting trendier shops that offered a different experience. Yet, Main Street Barber Shop continued to serve an eclectic mix of loyal clients, some of whom had been coming for decades, spanning all walks of life—politicians, doctors, construction workers, and even a young Joe Flacco during his time at the University of Delaware.
The Final Cut
Teti had planned to keep the shop open longer, but when her husband suffered an injury that forced him to retire, they decided it was time for a new chapter in Florida. Though she’s looking forward to the warmer weather, Teti hints that her career as a barber might not be completely over.
“Most barbers work until they’re in their 80s,” she laughs. “I’m too young to really retire at 64 years old.”
She will miss her customers the most. For Teti, the barbershop has always been a happy place where clients turn into friends. “It’s not a hard job, and you make friends along the way. You don’t get rich off of it, but it’s a good career,” she says. “I can honestly say that I never got up and said, ‘Oh God, I gotta go to the job today.’”
As Newark says goodbye to Main Street Barber Shop, the loss is felt not just by Teti but by the generations who have sat in its chairs, shared stories, and left with more than just a haircut. While the shop's closure marks the end of an era, its legacy will live on in the memories of its loyal patrons and in Newark's rich history.
We here at Your Barber Connect wish you much happiness and success in your future!