Barber Shop Voted “Best Hair Care for Men” Three Times

The Proper Barbershop is a community-centric business located in Port Warwick at 177 Herman Melville Avenue. Owned by California native, John Piña, The Proper Barbershop has been voted “Best Hair Care for Men” three times by Coastal Virginia Magazine readers.

Piña started his career in education, teaching both middle and high school students. Then, while working in New York in the food and beverage industry, John had the opportunity to visit unique men’s grooming shops, and those experiences planted an entrepreneurial seed.

Fast forward, Piña began teaching high school again when his wife and children moved to the Peninsula to be closer to his in-laws. But after attending a men’s summit, he knew that he wanted to create a welcoming, safe space for men to network. He decided a barbershop would be the best pathway to achieve his dream. After serving as a barber apprentice for a year, Piña opened The Proper Barbershop on Nov. 28, 2018.

The shop is considered a traditional barbershop for the modern man. It started with just one barber and now boasts seven. One of the pillars of the shop is the value and respect for each customer’s time, so an appointment-based system manages service. The Proper offers traditional and modern haircuts and beard-trimming services, along with grooming and beard products. The shop emphasizes offering stylish cuts in a welcoming, friendly environment so customers leave feeling confident and their best.