Black Rock Barber and Beauty is here and ready to service all Black Rockers

How do you replace a neighborhood institution?

Alex Medina, owner of the newly opened Black Rock Barber and Beauty, has the answer and it’s a great recipe for success.

Medina’s location is 3142 Fairfield Avenue in the heart of Black Rock, the same location as Ralph’s Black Rock Barber Shop, a well-known neighborhood landmark. Ralph Quintiliano trimmed men’s hair in the same spot for years, but Ralph has retired and Alex is more than ready to establish her new business as the next neighborhood institution.

“I really want to make Ralph’s long time customers very comfortable with the transition and so far they have been extremely loyal,” said Medina. “Actually the outpouring of support from the entire community has been unbelievable. It’s very encouraging and I’m glad I’m here.”

Although Ralph’s barber shop was highly popular with Black Rock men, few if any women frequented his barber shop. That left Medina with a distinct challenge: how does she attract women customers into her new shop?

“I had to use my imagination,” she explained. “I knew Ralph was closed on Wednesday’s so there was no one coming in at all on Wednesdays. So I decided to make Wednesday a Women’s Day. All ladies services performed on Wednesday are 25% off. I just started it so I am 5really working to get it to catch on.”

Granted that 25 percent off of a professional job is outstanding, Black Rock Barber and beauty customers, men and women both, can expect skill and professionalism from Medina. A Bridgeport native whose family owned the legendary Park Avenue Supermarket in the South End, she has been a licensed hairdresser and cosmetologist since 1991. Now in her 25th year in the business, the owner is ready to tackle the challenges of one of Bridgeport’s most eclectic neighborhoods.

“I’ve been a hairdresser all my life,” she pointed out. “And I am much happier when I am working for myself and not for someone else.”

As for her no location Medina makes no secret that she loves the locale. Her daughter Nikki owns and operates Sun Kissed Glow Tanning just up the road on Quarterboard Row near Timothy’s Ice Cream.

“We found her a great place and I told her to keep an eye open for me and we spotted an opening when Ralph decided to retire,” she said. “I love the people here; they have been really nice since the day we first opened the door.”

For her part, Alex Medina wants to give back to Bridgeport. She gives free haircuts once a week at a local nursing home and is planning on becoming a Black Rock institution in her own right.

“In particular I am looking forward to servicing the Black Rock community,” said the owner.

Black Rock Barber and Beauty is open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info call 203-397-6775 or check out the website at www.blackrockbarberandbeauty.com.