Not Enough Styling on Flatbush

Tales of New York has a post about the tough times for hairdressers on Flatbush in the current economy. The increased cost of supplies - from human hair for braiding to hair care products - is coming at a time when the clientele is tightening their purse strings and haggling over price.

It also can't help that there are so many hair salons. The competition probably makes it a lot easier to haggle and hurts loyalty to a favored stylist. The article refers to the stretch between Flatbush Junction and Cortelyou as "Hairdressers Lane." I would have put Lincoln-to-Parkside against any stretch in the city for haircare density - but I would have been wrong:

The influx of Haitian, Jamaican and Trinidadian women skilled in the crafts of braiding, straightening, and sewing in hair extensions in the eighties and nineties revitalized and expanded Flatbush hair industry. The two dozens hair salons and eight hair suppliers crammed on a one-mile stretch from Nostrand Ave. junction to Cortelyou Road have earned Flatbush Ave. the nickname of “Hairdresser Lane.”

But all is not lost on Flatbush Ave. Even if going to a salon feels like an extravagance, that doesn't mean that people will go out looking like hell.

The recent economic downturn does not evenly hurt Flatbush hair industry. Suppliers, who sell artificial and natural weaves, wigs and other hair extensions, might even benefit from the hairdressing slowdown. Because it takes less time, less money and lasts longer to get a wig than a perm, economical customers are inclined to visit hair supply stores rather than hair salons ...

I can't say that I am doing my part. I'm pretty sure I haven't had a haircut in the about three months.

Image via polychrome. For the record, Nass's (67A Fenimore St.) was chosen because I liked the picture, not because I know of any signs of financial distress.