Paul Bass Photo
Two customers were already in the barber chairs with two more waiting not long after Aaron Polanco opened the doors Thursday morning at the male side of Morena Salon and Barber Shop.
That’s typical as the weekend approaches, said Polanco, 27, who has cut hair since he was 14 years old and living in the Dominican Republic.
“We have to be fresh every weekend. Our people love to be fresh,” Polanco said during a conversation on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” while using a number-two clipper to fine-tune a taper fade on his first customer of the morning.
In addition to the weekly weekend rush, Polanco is gearing up for the annual Christmas holiday as everyone prepares to look their best for the holiday. He said he’s ready.
Polanco commutes to the shop at Chapel Street near Ellsworth Avenue from his home in Derby. The business, on the first floor of an apartment building, is divided between a women’s salon and a men’s side. Morena, after whom the shop is named, is Polanco’s aunt. She and her husband Jose own the business.
At 19 years old, Polanco accompanied his father to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic “looking for opportunities.” They have found those opportunities here, he said. His father works at a Derby supermarket. Polanco has been able to remain at the barber’s chair, which is how he likes it. He loves being around people and “making friends” all day while helping them look their best.
“Home is here for me now. I got married here. All my opportunity is here in the United States,” he said as he kept clipping and Bad Bunny Youtube videos played on a 50-inch screen. “We’re blessed.”
Click on the video to watch the full conversation with Aaron Polanco on the“Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s“LoveBabz LoveTalk” program. Click here to subscribe to WNHH FM’s“LoveBabz LoveTalk” and here to subscribe to other WNHH programs.
Click here for previous “Word on the Street” episodes and write-ups.
