Meet The Proper Barbershop: a place for men to enjoy the positives of good grooming and good friendships. Open seven days a week in Port Warwick, this traditional barbershop promotes a more mindful twist, offering classic haircut and shaving options. Opened in November 2018, the business has been winning Best of Coastal Virginia awards — Best Hair Care for Men — every year since 2020.
Owner John Pina realized the need for a community space like the one his business has become. “I figured a barbershop not only creates the space for guys to be kind of vulnerable and open, but also, within an hour — you feel amazing. So, I wanted to create that specifically,” he says. “The way you look changes the way you feel, and then you do good things that make you be great.”
Pina’s past career as a teacher of 10 years added to his inspiration to create a collective area for people to meet. He aimed “to create a space specifically for guys to come together, a safe space for them, and a barbershop made perfect sense.” The result? A place “for the modern man” where men of many ages gather for a haircut alongside fellowship.
The shop is an appointment-based establishment, with same-day openings often available upon request. It emphasizes cleanliness in technique, respect for making the most of customers’ time and the ability to cater to all types of hair.
When customers arrive, they can expect to be greeted by name and welcomed with a smile by barbers who care about them. Pina highlights fresh hot towels and capes, a clean workspace and proper sanitization. Background music, sports playing silently on the TV and connecting conversations often emanate throughout the parlor. “Of course,” he says, “some people prefer a quieter experience, made possible by barbers who ‘read the room.’
“What hasn’t changed since opening is our essence,” says Pina, regarding The Proper Barbershop’s development. “We’re extremely busy and over the years, we’ve grown in staff.” Five years ago, the business employed two barbers; now, there are seven.
The shop’s legacy in the community continues to develop. As a local business with a focus on serving the Newport News and Yorktown areas, Pina says any possible expansion for The Proper Barbershop would extend within the Peninsula area.
Pina finds fulfillment in his position through creating careers for the barbers with whom he works, and in the space as a social hub for guys to gather, no matter what their interests. There are high top tables with barstools and daily coffee.
“I personally believe we have a lot more in common,” he says. “There’s always something to connect with. I think our space does an amazing job of doing that. We are a place for come-as-you-are networking where men can relax. I want our clients to come to a welcoming safe space and feel better when they leave.”
Pina describes himself as “just a normal dude making it.” He enjoys frequenting coffee shops and supporting other local small businesses, and he stays busy beyond work as father of four children.
TO THE POINT:
The Proper Barbershop
Address: 177 Herman Melville Ave., Newport News VA 23606
Contact: John Pina
Phone: 757-604-5323
Website: theproperbarbershopva.com
