09 May New to Hyde Park and the Vertullo Building: An Interview with Sandler Lacoste and Darnelle Joseph-Lacoste of “Private Office Barber Shop”
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| Sandler Lacoste and his wife Darnelle Joseph-Lacoste of the Vertullo Building?s ?Private Office Barber Shop? |
As Historic Boston celebrates the dedication of the Vertullo Building in Hyde Park, we are pleased to interview one of the new business owners that will be opening in the building next week: The Private Office Barber Shop, which is owned by Sandler Lacoste and his wife, Darnelle Joseph-Lacoste. Next week we will profile another of the Vertullo Building’s new shops: Intriguing Hair.
Q: In addition to being a barber, you’re also a Boston schoolteacher. Where and what do you teach and what age kids?
A: I’m currently a 6th grade math teacher at the Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy in Dorchester. I teach kids that are between the ages of 11 and 12 years old. I’ve been a teacher for the past 3 years and really enjoy working with youth.
Q: How long have you been a barber?
A: I have been a barber for the past 20 years. My passion for cutting hair roots back to being a young boy and receiving haircuts from my mother, who studied cosmetology. I started giving myself haircuts and when I noticed I wasn’t half bad, I started giving my friends and teammates from my high school basketball team haircuts as well. What started off as a hobby quickly stemmed into a passion. I began to appreciate the actual art of cutting hair, so I decided to perfect and pursue the trade professionally. I’ve been working as a professional licensed barber for the past 4 years. My motto is “I’m cleaning up America one haircut at a time.”
Q: Why did you choose the Vertullo Building for your shop?
A: There are several reasons why my wife and I chose the Vertullo Building to establish our barbershop, the first being the location feels like home; we are very familiar with the area. My wife grew up on the neighboring Pierce Street and lived there for 20 years. The Vertullo Building is not far from my original Private Office which is located in Mattapan. The transit accessibility was extremely important for our business; our goal is to service everyone in need of a great haircut. The area is up and coming and extremely vibrant and the foot traffic of the local surrounding businesses was really appealing to us. We anticipate adding to the already thriving corner of businesses on Fairmount Ave. We are super excited for this new opportunity and chapter. Our goal is to add a positive light to the already luminous, evolving town.