Georgetown’s first women-owned barbershop
“Anyone who says ‘You can’t make it in America’ is lying,” Esin Lau, founder of Georgetown Barbershop said.“I come from a small, small town in Turkey and here I am cutting hair.”
Ms. Lau opened Georgetown Barbershop in 2013, becoming the first woman in the city to own a barbershop. After more than a decade of growing the business, she recently sold it to Mandy Guerra, who has worked there for the past five years.
“I just wanted to really continue her legacy,” Ms. Guerra said, explaining that Ms. Lau is slowly retiring but continues to see clients.
Ms. Lau was born in Turkey, grew up in Germany and then married an American soldier and ended up in Georgetown. She started with one chair and has since grown the East University Avenue shop to eight. The barbershop sees around 500 clients per week. She sold the shop to Ms. Guerra in April.
Ms. Guerra described the shop as being a friendly, family-oriented place where residents can sometimes interact with prominent figures in Georgetown. One of Ms. Lau’s longtime clients is Council Member Kevin Pitts, who she’s worked with for five years.
“This is the best beard in Georgetown,” Mr. Pitts said. “It feels like coming to an old fashioned barbershop. If you want to get the gossip, you come to the [Georgetown] Barbershop. Esin’s got it for you.”
Mr. Pitts called Ms. Lau a “beard artist” and has recommended her to many people — including the mayor. He said she takes pride in what she does.
Georgetown Barbershop appointments are 30 minutes long to ensure that the job is done well, Ms. Esin specified.
“Even a person who comes with little hair, I take my time,” Ms. Esin said. “I will give him a really nice haircut, even if he doesn't have enough hair.”
Georgetown Barbershop stylists use old fashioned methods to give clean cuts. They also take the time to talk to clients and check in on how they’re doing. Ms. Guerra said that is her favorite part of the job.
“It's just really interesting to kind of be able to dive into other people's experience and [hear] what they've got going on,” Ms. Guerra said. “We try to have a real friendly atmosphere where people can come and really feel like they’re a part of Georgetown.”
Georgetown Barbershop is open at 604 East University Avenue from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. There is a coffee bar with espresso drinks and cookies, run by Elzem Lau, in the back room of the shop. The barbershop accepts walk-ins and offers appointments over the phone at 512-240-5415.