It seems too good to be true: the Larchmont Barber Shop is open once again and looks the same as it  did for the nearly 50 years barber Jerry Cottone ran the shop. George Hilario (Jorge) and his nephew Cesar greeted their first customers early Monday morning with smiles and scissors in hand, ready to serve the Larchmont area clients with a close shave or a neat clip.
“A family member of mine was having lunch on Larchmont last fall when she saw the place was closed, and she called me,” George Hilario told the Buzz early Monday after finishing his second customer of the day. “I came to look and realized it was Jerry’s shop. I had done some business with him in the past.” Â So began the discussions, which culminated in George buying the business from Jerry in February and getting a three year lease on the spot from the landlord, Mrs. Lipson. He was the fourth business to try to make the deal.
“We’re keeping pretty much everything the same,” George told the Buzz. “We like this shop. We’ve cleaned up, washed the windows, changed out the curtains, removed carpeting and waxed the floors. But it’s the same shop.” The barber pole still lights up and stands next to the old television that makes the place seem primed as a location for a 1970’s film. It’s authentic barber shop material, and Hilario has even saved some of the Jerry memorabilia and put it in the front counter cabinet for people to peruse.
Seeing the door open and the lights on is a welcome relief to many on Larchmont who have bemoaned the shop’s closing in late October 2012 when former owner Jerry Cottone retired. Â George’s nephew, Cesar, told us that the family’s grandfather trained many of the Hilario family members in barbering, and they’re delighted to become a part of the Larchmont community.
To welcome old and new customers, the shop will offer $20 haircuts for a limited time, so stop in and meet the new team soon.
Larchmont Buzz: Missing Jerry on Larchmont
 and his nephew Cesar greeted their first customers early Monday morning with smiles and scissors in hand, ready to serve the Larchmont area clients with a close shave or a neat clip.){kind=link}
Any info on how Jerry is doing?
We understand he is enjoying retirement and intends to stop by the barber shop on a regular basis to see his old friends and customers. Ask George next time you’re in and he may know when Jerry will be by.
Isn’t it nice to see the shop open again, all shiny and welcoming? We miss Jerry, and wish George and Cesar the best.
How nice they have a three-year lease! Welcome stability on Larchmont. Here’s to their success and thanks to Mrs. Lipson for her vision and commitment to Larchmont Blvd.