David Hardin Jr: The Detroit Barber Who Keeps The Clippers Buzzing 365 Days A Year

The West Village barbershop opens its doors to the community even on holidays.

David Hardin Jr., owner of Heavy Weight Cuts barbershop, is unique in his craft as he’s open every day of the year to give cuts in his Detroit shop. Hardin leveled with the Detroit Free Press about how he shows his commitment to his city with his West Village barbershop.

Located on the corner of Van Dyke and Kercheval, the brick building is a spot where members of the local Detroit community can find family. Hardin explained, “During the holidays, someone might say to a family member or friend, ‘I’m going to get my hair cut.’ Then the other person will say, ‘Oh yeah, I’ll meet you up there and bring the kids.’ And then they meet up here and sit and chop it up. But honestly, for me, it’s no different. I treat the holidays like a regular day.

“So, it’s no different until the people come in and start talking about the holidays, and then it becomes kind of festive. The customers help to pull me back into the spirit of the holidays.”

A 50-year-old Hardin’s Heavy Weight Cuts patron spoke to the outlet while getting tapered up for his uncle’s funeral. He echoed the sentiments of comfort that Hardin’s decorated shop brings.

He shared, “Dave is a blessing to the neighborhood. For people who don’t have transportation, Dave is in the neighborhood. And when you get here, it’s clean and safe. Dave is a good host, too; he’s knowledgeable, and you can come here and get some stuff off your chest. I didn’t know what I was going to do if he wasn’t open, so I appreciate Dave for being here.”

Hardin revealed some of his tips for how he sets up his shop. He posts alumni merch, photos, and social activism slogans on his wall. By keeping his place clean, both literally and free from profanity, he’s managed to make a “cool and inviting” space where people can get expert haircuts from him for over 23 years. He prides himself on empowering the residents of the West Village to succeed one barbershop visit at a time.

“This ain’t the typical barbershop, as you can tell, and I strive to be that way; I invite you into my world,” he said.

“My thing in the barbershop is that we’re here to do what we can to help others. If you have information and knowledge, what good does it do to keep it to yourself? What good is having knowledge if you can’t share it? What good is having riches if you can’t share them? That’s how I feel.”