New North Riverdale barbershop and nail salon is a family affair

Right off Riverdale Avenue and West 261st Street is a new, one-stop grooming spot. In the front, a sleek barbershop run by three brothers, and in the back, a one-woman nail salon. 

A&R Máster BarberShop — named for Arnold Diaz, Ricard Diaz and Ricardo Perez, the shop’s owners — held its grand opening last month. But, its roots go back decades to the Dominican Republic. 

Perez, 42, learned to cut hair at 20, when a friend opened a neighborhood barbershop. His passion grew over time, as Perez was fond of not only the craft, but the way the shop became a fixture in the community. Younger kids would stop in, hanging around the chairs to watch, learn or just connect, he said. 

After several years, Perez moved to the United States to open his own shop — A&R BarberShop on Fordham Road. Once it found some success, his brothers followed suit. The youngest, 21-year-old Arnold, settled in the Bronx only a few years ago. 

“[Kids] can see how you’re working hard all the time,” Ricard added, who moved to the states in 2017. “They can say, ‘Oh, I like this guy. When I grow up I want to be like him.’ You can talk to everyone directly. People don’t just come in to get their hair cut, they also come here to have conversations.” 

Expanding to a second location was an easy choice. The Fordham Road location staffs seven barbers, with 80 or more customers a day, Ricard said. Eighteen-year-old Mekhi Page who sat in a black, leather chair with an engraved silver footing as Ricard carved a sharp lineup, told The Press he had to come to Riverdale since there were no openings on Fordham Road. 

Ricard handles promoting the business — social media posts, flyers and advertisements — and said it has been successful. Though business is still ramping up to match the amount of loyal customers Fordham Road has, the neighborhood has been welcoming. 

Nineteen-year-old Laura Diaz, Arnold’s wife, sits behind the barber chairs at her own desk, lit by the shop’s cool, modern glow. She started in nails just two years ago, and was eager to build her clientele at the new location.  

“When I’m doing nails, I’m not thinking about anything,” Diaz said. “I feel free.” 

For the brothers, they aim to become a staple in the neighborhood the same way they have on Fordham Road. 

“We want to let the community of Riverdale know we’re not just here to cut their hair,” Ricard said through Laura, who translated. “We’re also here to be a part of the community — part of the family — and to help how we can.”