Looking for a last minute haircut? If you’re in the Philadelphia area, look no further than Nic Grooming, a walk-in barbershop with four locations scattered throughout the city. Regardless of the location, you’re going to find more than a haircut at Nic’s—you’ll find a growing community, educational opportunities, and perhaps even Sofar performances.
Nic Grooming is owned and run by Nick Berardi, a longtime barber and stylist with the craft practically in his blood. With a father who works as a barber, and a mother who works as a cosmetologist, Nick grew up in salons and traveling the world with his parents for conventions. Flash forward a few years, and Nick was working at his dad’s salon, Richard Nicolas Hair Studio, alongside his brother, and more recently, his sister-in-law (it’s a full-on family affair). But Nick was set on opening a barbershop, so he decided to branch out and start his own spot, Nic Grooming.
Barbershops can sometimes have a reputation of being so neighborhood-based that they’re almost intimidating, but from the start, Nick wanted to make an inclusive space.
“I don’t care what you are, what you were, what you’re gonna be, it doesn’t matter to me,” Nick said. “You got hair and you’re cool and wanna have fun hair? Great.”
It didn’t take long for one location to turn into four.
Nick Berardi in action, photo courtesy of Nic GroomingThe first thing you’ll likely notice at Nic’s is the motorcycle in the window. Next, you’re gonna note the board with names on it. That’s the waitlist, as Nick decided from day one it would be a walk-in only shop. People might try to sneak in an appointment, but they get used to the system. In fact, it becomes a space where customers job their name down, then sit back and have a beer.
“We try to make it a hybrid fun space,” Nick said.
Part of that hybrid experience comes from using the space for community events. Every barber at Nic’s trains at Nic’s. They also get the opportunity to take fun evening courses such as how to buy a properly fitted suit, or how to pick out a cigar.
Sofar Philly at Nic Grooming, photo by Quincy StallworthLive music at night was just a natural fit, though it still surprises customers.
“I constantly get clients that’ll be in my chair that say, ‘hey I don’t know if you know this, but there were a bunch of people in your shop last night, and there were bands in there,’ and then I mess with them and say, ‘wait what?!’ Nick joked. “Then I’m like, ‘just kidding.’”
He continued:
“It creates a buzz. People walking by see this, they see the energy, and they want to get their hair cut, that’s their shop. It creates a coolness without even trying. We’re just doing what we like.”
Words by Sofar Editorial Team
Photo credit: Nic Grooming, photo by Evan Tchelepi
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