There’s a new pair of scissors in town. Agron Komoni has been busy wielding them over the last seven months since opening his traditional-style Agron’s Barbershop at 17 Danbury Rd. across from the Gateway Shopping Center, and Mrs. Green’s Market and TJ Maxx.
He was born to be a barber–Agron’s father, grandfather, uncles and aunts are all barbers, and he learned his skills at his grandfather’s knee.
“I was 12 years old when I first started cutting hair. After school I’d come straight to the shop, and while I was doing homework I just kept going like this, [peeking up], watching as they cut hair, how to use a razor, and I told my grandfather I wanted to learn. My father said I had to go to school, but my grandfather winked and said, ‘bring your friends, give them a free haircut.’ That’s what you got to do to learn, that’s how I started picking up little by little and practicing.”
He specializes in mens’ and boys’ haircuts, men’s hair coloring, and straight-razor shaves and facial steams–the latter, he says, is not only a good quality shave but it’s a pampering indulgence. “With a good shave, it could last up to five days. And it’s a really great experience. Everyone should try it.”
He’s got a following and lots of regulars who have. “There’s one father and son pair, they come together once a month for a shave-and-a-haircut. Some people come once a week.”
One thing that the regulars seem to love is the atmosphere that Agron has created. What stands out is the pool table in the middle of the barber shop–and the refreshments. “I’ve always wanted a pool table. A lot of clients come in and play while they wait. There’s a refrigerator in the back with water, soda, beer. Most of the clients know, and it makes me feel so special when they just walk in and say, ‘Hey Agron!’ and walk to the back fridge and grab a drink. I want them to make themselves comfortable and at home. They don’t even have to come for a haircut, just come hang out and shoot pool.”
It’s a philosophy harkening back to a more traditional kind of barber. “I’m trying to make this like an old-fashioned barber,” he said. “It’s not like a hair salon with jazz music and people don’t talk to each other. I want a barber shop.”
Agron hails from Kosovo, and came to the United States to follow his dream in 1990. After living in the Bronx and getting married, he moved to West Haven 10 years ago. His children range in age from 19 to 11 months. “Yes, it’s a big gap,” he laughs. “I’m happy and it keeps me young.”
And the haircutting tradition will continue with at least one of his kids, as Agron’s eldest son will be joining the business in a few weeks, and the prospect of working alongside his son is something else that makes him happy. “I said, ‘Whatever your heart desires, you love to cut hair?’ He loves it, so why not!”
Making his customers love their haircuts is important to Agron as well. “When they say they love it, I’m happy. Or when they tell me, ‘My wife loves it’–that’s good! You have a vision how a face is and what the hair should look like. I love what I do.”
He’s been happy to work in Wilton and build his clientele here, especially as many followed him from his previous spot at Roosters. “Most of my clients are from Wilton, as well as Weston and New Canaan. I love the area.”
He’s also made it convenient for clients–Agron’s Barbershop is open 7 days-a-week, Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.. But ever the family man, he’s closed on major holidays, including Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. “And definitely Mother’s Day and Father’s Day,” he says, laughing.
Perhaps the best part is that his pricing is very reasonable–an adult haircut is $22, and a haircut-and-shave is $45. Children’s haircuts are $15 up to age 13; $20 for boys 13-17. There’s a free neck clean-up with every haircut too in between haircuts if it’s needed.
Agron’s Barbershop is at 17 Danbury Rd. The telephone number is 203.210. 7271.