A little more than a year after the defection of most of his team Mike Pompa has shuttered Subway Barbers. Mike is nearly 80 years old.
The quintessential shop, a Greenwich Avenue landmark, for 50 years, has a sign posted in its window informing passers-by that the shop is closed, Mike retired, and Mike’s new associate, a barber named “Alex” is now working at the Palm Barber Shop on Church Street, where another former Subway Barber, Joe De Tulio moved his scissors a few years back.
Gone are the fixtures, including the red firetruck chair which was the haircutting-seat for many youngsters in our Greenwich over the last half-century. Also gone is the framed photo of a younger Mike cutting hair, featured in Life Magazine
In the spring of 2008, a lower-Greenwich Avenue rivalry began when Tony Merolla, then 33, along with his father and brothers — barbers all — left Subway and one block down the road opened Classic Barbers on the 2nd Floor of 396 Greenwich Avenue.
The Merollas, Tony, John, Giuseppe Sr., and Giuseppe Jr., made Classic Barbers a bit more upscale than Subway. Although its prices ($20 for a regular haircut) were the same as its rival, patrons at Classic are offered fresh brewed espresso as they are waiting for their haircut, and are given a complimentary hot towel facial after the haircut.
Tony Merolla said he had offered Mike a position at Classic, but nothing ever came of that.
on Jul 17th, 2009 at 7:30 am
I just passed the shop and saw it was closed. This is so sad. I had been getting my cuts their since the early 50’s. What character they had. Watching the Yankees on a tiny B&W TV as Mel Allen called the games. People taking numbers for a haircut and lining up out on The Avenue. Benny, Andy, Mike, Lou….most of them played on a pretty decent softball team.
God Bless Mike and all those who came before. Thanks for the haircuts, conversations and memories that will last a lifetime.