Longtime Friends Open Barbershop In Stratford

STRATFORD, CT — A new barbershop near Paradise Green has received a warm welcome from the Stratford community.

Branded barbershop opened in June at 3584 Main St., and town officials celebrated the business with a ribbon cutting Sept. 26. Branded is owned by longtime friends turned business partners Rodney Clarke, of Stratford, and William Hernandez, of Bridgeport.

When Clarke and Hernandez first saw the Main Street storefront, they knew it was the place for them, Hernandez said.

"It was love at first sight," he said of the space, praising its location in a bustling part of town.

In the months since Branded opened, the neighborhood has been appreciative of the shop, Clarke said. The address was previously home to a different hair salon, he said, which closed earlier in the year.

"We've received a lot of love," Clarke said.

Branded has four barber's chairs and a sleek, minimalist design, with a classic barber's pole visible to passersby. The shop got its name because a brand is something unique and identifiable, like the work done by the barbers at Branded, Clarke said.

Clarke started his career cutting hair in Bridgeport. Branded is his first business.

Mayor Laura Hoydick spoke about the significance of having a town resident choose to open a business in Stratford.

"It's really special," she said. "... It makes us very proud."

Before Hernandez and Clarke started Branded, Hernandez was working in Derby, but wanted something closer to home. Both he and Clarke had a base of loyal clients when they decided to open their own shop, and the business is starting to see walk-ins as well, Hernandez said.

"We plan on being here for awhile," he said.

For more information about Branded, call 203-345-5886, or visit the shop on Facebook at https://bit.ly/2MpMWCu or on Instagram at the_branded_experience.