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STYLES UPON STYLES :: 80 CONGRESS STREET :: 518-273-0660
The people that see you the most and watch you grow are actually not your loved ones, friends or family. They’re your coaches, bank tellers, postmen, hair stylists, to name a few. Eddie Whitaker, owner of the barbershop Styles Upon Styles, has gotten to know and seen the growth of many of his customers during his 20 years of business. Eddie, originally from New York City, a former Foster Child, made his way to Troy, NY after living in Poughkeepsie. He began studying Psychology at Hudson Valley Community College in 1997, but didn’t continue with school, instead he went into entrepreneurship. His father was a barber, his cousins also. He cut hair part-time during school and decided it was the profession for him. Styles Upon Styles opened at 76 Congress Street (currently Mi Casa Restaurant) in 1999. After six years of business, he began to outgrow the space. 80 Congress Street was available and he purchased the building, moving his barbershop a few storefronts down, opening in 2007.
Eddie gut renovated the mixed-use space, installed full electrical, plumbing, replaced the floors and built drop ceilings. The apartments above were also renovated. He is updating the space again, renovating one of the apartments and updating the barber shop.
Styles Upon Styles employs 5 barbers specializing in men’s and kid’s cuts, scissor cutting, fades and beards. Eddie’s favorite type of cut is the comb over, with a deep part. It is reminiscent of an army-style haircut, with short sides. He’s seen styles come and go, but this particular cut has resurrected again and he’s excited to use his scissor cutting skills for it. When asked what makes a good barber & shop owner, he says ambition, you must be a people person, trust, the ability to visualize the cut, and surprisingly the most important, understanding everyone’s individual hair texture.
The shop is family-run, with Eddie’s wife, Sara as co-owner. He taught her how to cut hair 10 years ago and she now has her own regular clientele. His two girls are at the shop often; helping answer phones, sweep and greet clients. As mentioned above, both Eddie and his wife have been the barbers for many kid’s 1st haircuts. These now young adults still return for cuts, but sometimes stop by just to chat and or ask for advice. Eddie has always given back, teaching at Austin’s Barber School in Albany for 3 years and hires a part-time high school worker during the Summer. It is important for him and his wife to give back to the community mentoring individuals in work ethic, responsibility and money management. The high school student receives his pay at the end of the Summer when Eddie and Sara take him for back-to-school shopping. The relaxed neighborhood shop has consistent visitors stopping by, their regulars come in at the same time each week, and after many years, now invites to their city workers’ and police officers’ retirement parties. The amount of clients a barber gets during a day can be counted by how many neck strips were used- when you run out…it’s a great day.
Styles Upon Styles take both appointments and walk-ins. Wednesdays are College Discount Days, $3.00 off with a valid college ID. Saturday is NFL Day- yes NFL Day. Clients are encouraged to wear their favorite team’s jersey to the shop and defend or cheer for their team. We wonder which jerseys have lasted the most over the past 20 years and will last for the next 20 years to come.
©Downtown Troy BID 2019