The Old Mission Barbershop, located at the intersection of 21st and Mission streets, will be closing its doors at the end of the month, marking the end of an era for the local community and its owner, Omar Nazzal.
At 41 years old, Nazzal has decided to prioritize his health due to worsening asthma, making it challenging for him to continue managing the barbershop he opened in 2018.
Nazzal, who has deep roots in the area, recalls his childhood spent in the neighboring Sunset District.
His father originally established a linen store adjacent to the current barbershop site around 1979 or 1980, serving predominantly the Latinx community in the Mission.
Reflecting on the neighborhood’s multicultural fabric, Nazzal shared, “There were so many people migrating from all different parts of the world—mostly Mexico, Central America, and South America.”
He credits his mother with significantly contributing to the family business’s success through her ability to speak Spanish, which helped connect with customers.
As a child, Nazzal created lasting memories in the community; he fondly remembers playing in the back alleyway of the store where baby pictures of him were taken.
Before switching to barbering, Nazzal spent a decade in the automotive industry, influenced by the vibrant lowrider culture and classic cars that graced 24th Street during Carnaval each May.
At age 29, he heeded his father’s advice and enrolled in barber college, with the dream of opening a barbershop in the neighborhood he loved.
His journey began at Fellow Barber, where he worked his way up to manager while building a diverse clientele.
When he launched his own barbershop at Mission and 21st streets, Nazzal was motivated by the desire to maintain the neighborhood’s unique cultural identity and provide accessible haircut options for the working class.
Standard haircuts at his barbershop were priced at $55, while a haircut with a beard trim was $75.
“The neighborhood at that time was changing, and I didn’t want that side of the Mission to turn into another Valencia, where it doesn’t have any of the culture or feel,” Nazzal remarked.
As his barbershop prepares to close, Nazzal is directing his clients to The Mission’s Barbershop at 3160 24th St.
He holds great respect for the owner, Joseph Guerra, stating, “He’s the only barbershop owner that I know who’s from the neighborhood, who cares about the neighborhood, and he’s actively doing stuff to make the neighborhood better.”
In addition to referring clients, Nazzal revealed that three of his current barbers will join Guerra’s team after the shop shuts down.
Before closing, Nazzal plans to sell almost everything in the barbershop, including barber chairs, lights, and furniture, inviting interested parties to contact him through social media.
While Nazzal expresses sadness about ending this chapter, he remains grateful for the multitude of memories created within the barbershop.
“I’m really sad to shut down the barbershop, but I’m so grateful for the memories and every single person that walked through those doors and made that place what it is. I’m forever grateful for those memories.”
image source from：missionlocal
