I've been to many barber shops around Phoenix and have uncovered an odd trend. A majority of the shops are owned by Jewish Uzbek's.
What do Uzbekistan and traditional barber shops have in common? I have no idea. But its strange, don't you think?
When I first began to notice the trend, I would go to a new barber to see if they too were from Uzbekistan. I'd hear that accent and ask, "You from Uzbekistan?" "Yes", would almost always be the reply. Oddly, they wouldn't question how I knew this.
If the Soviet Union were still around I'd be really worried. I even found an Uzbek during a RARE visit to Supercuts! Her husband who is also an Uzbek' works at the New York barber on Indian School @ 24th St! I can name six other Uzbek barber shops in town!
It must be a cultural thing I'm assuming, but I've noticed most of the Uzbek barbers are not really friendly. They don't seem to smile or be chatty. Probably a by-product of the communist economy?
That's not usually the case at Central Barber though. They've learned those social niceties that most Americans take for granted and expect. Always warm and welcoming and just the right amount of chit-chat.
One of the best things about this shop is the built-in vacuum that's attached to the electric clippers. This greatly reduces the amount of hair left behind. They also clean you up with a warm towel and give this great neck massage at the end of your cut. Although the warm towel thing really sucks in the middle of the summer.
Not sure about all of the barbers, but the owner Roman and Abraham give the best cuts. No appointments, but the wait is usually no more than 20 minutes max.