Hoping for a younger Third

Editor’s note: This is one in a series of occasional stories about local businesses post-recession.

A new business in historic downtown Chula Vista is cutting against the grain. In an area surrounded by wig shops, sewing supply stores and countless specialty shops, Razor Line Barber Shop at 268 Third Ave. is catering to a new demographic.

First-time business owner Ricardo Conde, 24, said despite the older demographic that most Third Avenue businesses attract, the tide is turning.

“I see there is a lot of potential (on Third Avenue) just because there is a lot of foot traffic,” Conde said. “Everything is kind of more toward the elderly but I see changes as far as having the skate shop, they have the consignment store. I feel like there is potential for this area.”

Conde, who  has been cutting hair for about four years, said the reason the barbershop industry grows is because a haircut is a necessity.

“With the barbershop thing it’s more of a service we provide, and it’s a service that is needed,” he said. “It can get kind of tricky because even if the economy is down people need their haircuts.”

Conde said he got into the haircutting business by accident. He woke up one morning and signed up for barber school, and the rest was history. He said as a kid he enjoyed getting a fresh hair cut, but never thought he would be the one cutting hair.

Conde said being a first-time business owner is a lot of work and that there is constantly work to be done. He said he had underestimated the amount of work it took to run a business.

“I didn’t think it was going to be this much work,” he said. “It’s an all-day thing.”

The barber parlor is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.