Toni's Barbershop: More Than Just a Place to Get a Haircut

Toni Mundinger of was working on Main Street at the Manhattan Mortgage Company and looking for a change. Then one day she found an adorable cottage for rent on her lunch break.

“It all kind of took off from there,” Mundinger said.  “I think of that day a lot and how different life was then.”

Mundinger, who says she has always been a people person and talks so much there is nothing people do not know, said about opening her business, “I honestly put it in God's hands and prayed it would work.  I had no idea what I was doing or what I was getting into!”

And her business has thrived. She believes her shop is successful because people love the show that goes on day in and day out — it's not only a barbershop, it's a community hub.

“There is always lots of banter: a sad toddler being bribed with a lollipop; group conversations to solve the world’s problems or at least whatever is on the headline of the newspaper that day,” she said.

Since the opening of her shop, she said has had a little help, but no one permanent until Miss Jessica came along in 2005. After meeting at an  H.B. Ward Technical Center graduation, Jessica has been her right hand girl.

“We got even more blessed when Alyssa came to work for us three years ago. We have been one big happy family ever since,” said Mundinger.

Now, Mundinger says, her life is complete. “I have an amazing husband, two adorable puppies and a fun little business that I get to work at everyday and hang out with two incredible ladies … Life is good.”

Aside from working, Mundinger says she loves to exercise and jogs with her dogs Bernard and Mildred. She also loves gardening with her husband and does all the landscaping at the shop.

Mundinger says she wishes she had more time to be involved in the community. For now, she makes house calls. 

Mundinger says she visits homebound special needs children and clients who need haircuts. She also makes special arrangements for the residents at Catholic Guardians.