By CARL MCDONALD
Staff Writer
A barbershop is seen by many as a place to shape-up their hair and tip those doing so. However, it is also seen as an environment where you can connect with those cutting your hair. That is the prime mission for Duke’s Barbershop owner, Mike Duker. The 36-year-old gives his reasonings why he is so dedicated to his craft.
The Albany resident said he has had a love for being a barber, since his high school years. He started off by cutting hair for his friends and family. He did this while in his parent’s house. He and his friends would play music while Duker progressively got better. This love continued as he noticed the growth of his huge beard. Eventually, Duker attended a school in Albany, called Austin’s School of Spa Technology. The school was permanently shut down in 2017. He graduated in 2006 after transferring into the school from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. He majored in business marketing, from 2003 to 2005. Duker even considered finishing his college education at The College of Saint Rose. Although he completed his education, he remained in Albany.
He worked at three barbershops, with the experience enhancing his passion, he said. He learned what he should do and not do when working at the stores. By 2007, Duker used all he learned to open his own barbershop. Originally, the shop was operating on Delaware Avenue. He then moved the shop to Madison Avenue, after purchasing a building in 2009. Building the physical shop was one thing, forming the integrity of Duke’s was another task on its own. Payton Brophy, 21, is a junior at Saint Rose who goes to Duke’s monthly for a haircut.
“The ambiance and people inside make me feel proud to be here in Albany,” said Brophy. “Overall, I’d recommend Duke’s to anyone who wants a great haircut done by barbers you can trust.”
Duker said he has taken pride in the business that he has built. He represents every race, along with all ages.
“I feel like as I get older, my clientele gets older with me,” said Duker. “When I was younger, I would cut younger people. Now that I’m in my mid-30s, my clientele is getting older with me.”
He said he loves being able to provide his services to anyone, whether they made an appointment or are walk-ins. Duker even cites his wife and young son as reasons to build on that passion. Additionally, he is able to make everyone comfortable while sitting on that chair. Of course, Duker is not doing this alone. He and five other barbers are doing what is expected of them, and that is protecting the integrity of the shop.
Matt Raymond is one of Duke’s employees. He has been working at the shop since the summer of 2019. He too had been cutting hair prior to his time at Duke’s. Raymond said he is grateful to be under the leadership of his boss.
“Duke is one of the greatest people I have ever worked for/with,” said Raymond. “He has a vision of how he wants the shop to look and has tremendous leadership. He has taught me a lot about barbering and continues to teach/give pointers pretty much every day.”
He also described his workplace as having a working relationship. Even referencing that Duke’s is like a family. With all this positive energy, a former Duke’s employee shows that he still has respect for them.
Wes Straucet, 39, started working at Duke’s in May 2017. He would leave a few years later to cut closer to where he lives, Clifton Park, N.Y.
He currently works at Roots Barber Co. Aside from his love of cutting and years of experience, he still has a love for his former employer. He described their relationship as still being great.
Despite the positives of Duke’s, the barbershop has also had to deal with issues in 2020.
Last year was an awful time for many small businesses. No one was safe from 2020 had to offer. Duke’s suffered as well but was able to overcome the struggles. Duker revealed that his business was going great. Yet, when it came to the pandemic, it forced him to close shop from March 22 to June 3. After reopening, Duke’s went through every rule to keep employees and customers safe. Sanitation is a must, even before the pandemic hit. Masks are required for everyone at the shop, even face shields for the barbers. The only time mask can be removed is when the clientele’s facial hair is being worked on.
“The shop definitely is slower than in years past but we are open and work is steady. So, I can’t complain,” said Duker. However, there was another obstacle that was about to impact both them and other businesses on Madison Avenue.
During the summer, there were protests nationally, in support of Black Lives Matter. Some of the protests were peaceful, but others turned into looting areas. Small businesses were hit worse than others, including Paesan’s Pizza just one block over. Despite the looting in Albany, Duke’s was able to avoid being harmed. Duker was fearful of the potential situation but is thankful that he wasn’t targeted. As of 2021, the business is still running. It is off of respect, care, and a lot more positive actions towards themselves and their customers.
