Why would you pay $25 for a shave when you can do it yourself? It's a luxury.  It's a manly way to be pampered. It's grooming nostalgia in the best way possible. Why buy clothes when you can stitch them yourself? Or why pay for food when you can farm yourself? 

Because there are talented people available who are artists at what they do.

Last July the Supernova Barbershop somewhat inconspicuously opened at 632 St. Helens Avenue, an offshoot of the original Supernova Hair and Tattoo on Division Street. Initially, the Supernova/Satellite partnership of Donny Hales (drummer for the band Zeke), wife Jana Lencioni-Hales and Pat Brown were not looking to expand to another location, but through a series of unexpected events the Supernova Barbershop materialized.

"It went so easily. We had it in two weeks," Hales explains excitedly. "When things go A, B, C without any struggle, it was meant to be."

Rob Velazquez, the lone barber at the Supernova Barbershop, is with another customer when I arrive. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds play over the din of outside traffic. Cylinders of barbicide (that strange blue stuff), a vintage poster advertising a miracle medication and a Cigar Store Indian give the surroundings a traditional barbershop ambience. Resting in the back corner is a 1951 Schwinn Skipper designed by local TW Smith of Renegade Bikes.

Supernova, and its punk rock reputation, has become a staple in Tacoma. Its image grew largely out of the owners' personal collections of Rat Fink toys, music posters and KISS memorabilia displayed at the original location. In contrast, the Supernova Barbershop on St. Helens maintains a retro feel. Most importantly, Hales points out, patrons don't have to fit any image to enjoy the service.

"When you come into our shop you could be wearing a suit or you could be wearing coveralls covered in grease and you still feel like ‘Oh I could still get a haircut and a shave here and I won't feel uncomfortable,'" says Hales.

Once I'm in the chair the room seems almost surgical. Clean, white, uncluttered walls, the overhead lighting gleams across the metal instruments. Hot towel after hot towel is wrapped over my face to soften the chin hairs and open the pores. When I'm thoroughly prepped Velazquez applies a warm lather of shaving cream. The blade crosses my checks, chin and neck finely tugging against the course hairs. In the midst of it all locals drop in to say hi and make appointments.  

"I want to be a small business. I want to know the people that come into our shop," Hales says, summing up the essence of Supernova Barbershop. "I want to be able and talk to them. I want them to feel like they're getting service from people they know. Not only that, but that their money is staying in their city."

My head is leaned back so that Velazquez can clean up the rough edges and scruff around my neck. After he's done he applies a bit of aftershave. The barber is a master of his craft and there is no sting from the alcohol. The black metal band Enslaved now thumps though the speakers. I am handed a mirror and see the work.

[Supernova Barbershop, 632 St Helens, Tacoma, Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturdays by appointment, 253.572.9977]