BY ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
A new barber shop in Moscow celebrates the history of the area while providing customers with modern hairstyles.
After Scott Lenzer couldn’t find anywhere to get a fresh cut, the North Pocono graduate decided to start his own business.
Lenzer, 35, of Spring Brook Twp., started taking appointments at The Trojan Barber, 101 Church St., on Nov. 10 and has already developed a base of supporters.
“I opened the shop in the area I grew up in,” he said. “No one up here really uses a straight razor. I really like the smooth feel and thought other people would appreciate it.”
The shop, which features memorabilia commemorating the history of the North Pocono School District and old relics from the surrounding area, is open four days a week, Tuesday through Friday, by appointment only, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The cost of all haircuts is $18.
After a long career in the distribution business, Lenzer was looking for a change of pace and enrolled in barber school.
He graduated from Barber School of NEPA in May, but repeatedly had licensing exams postponed for several months.
“I worked in corporate America for 16 years,” Lenzer said. “I couldn’t see myself doing it another 16 years or another 30 years. I took the leap and everything worked out exactly how I envisioned it, other than the COVID cancellations and dates being pushed back.”
JASON FARMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Logan Koerner, 14, of West Scranton, has his hair cut by Scott Lenzer, a North Pocono grad, owner of The Trojan Barber in Moscow.
Lenzer provides five free haircuts to veterans each month through his Fresh the Vets program. He also has a collection jar in his shop where customers can donate money to fund more free haircuts. Jenn-A-Snippers in Dunmore is also involved with the program and cuts women’s hair.
Veterans can pick up a token for a free haircut at the Mess Hall restaurant in Moscow and call the shop at 570-905-4620 to schedule an appointment.
When he’s not in the shop, Lenzer works at the Walmart distribution center in Tobyhanna on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
While Lenzer recognizes the volatility in the service industry, he has a safety net in place should the state issue a shutdown order for barber shops.
“It would really be unfortunate, but I’m in a position where I have a job and my world won’t collapse,” he said.
Contact the writer: rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131
