The 'Ruby' Experience In Wickford

Nestled behind and attached to the same building as the consignment store, Ruby’s Barbershop offers patrons not only a superb haircut but also a transformative experience where conversations carry on.

“I am reluctant to call this place ‘my barbershop’, it is much more like ‘our barbershop’,” said Ruby Louise.

Louise described her business not dissimilar from a community center. There is a comfortable assortment of places to sit, read, listen to music and play a game of chess – whatever you wish – even if you don’t get a haircut.

“I invite people to use the beautiful space here. People seem to feel at ease and the conversation just seems to pour out of them. Some people stay long past their haircut because they enjoy it so much,” she shared.

Sam of Sam’s Barbershop on Post Road mentored Louise. Sam, now retired, was a master barber for more than 50 years and put a lot of energy into training Louise, helping her hone her skills not only as a haircutter but a conversationalist.

Being taught the subtle art of understanding her customers, Louise knows her clients as more than just heads of hair. This connection allowed her to be better attuned to her clients’ needs and help them express themselves through the vehicle of cutting hair, she says.

“It is a total immersion of two people intimately getting to know one another. This is what I call ‘the Ruby Experience’.  They are my canvass, but they tell me how to paint. I learned from Sam to make it a very interactive experience,” she stressed.

It is necessary to ask a lot of questions so a client’s hair will come out the way they want. Louise does not have, for instance, a “men’s regular” haircut – because “regular” means something very different to each person.

“I would say 'Why don’t we start with the sideburns? How do you like this?’ and it forces people in many ways to be more interactive. Some people are uncomfortable initially, but by the time they leave the chair they feel like a million bucks,” touted Louise.

This barbershop, like many, has it’s own character. What makes Ruby’s Barbershop so sui generis is that her level of personal service, care and consideration for each customer coming through her door. 

“They appreciate the special attention and I’m genuine about everything. People are interesting and I do care about them and they can sense that,” said Louise.

Ruby’s Barbershop is located behind Foodies of Wickford at 25 West Main Street.