Haircut-starved Venezuelans find solace in mobile barbershop

Mary Triny Men

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In many countries, coronavirus lockdowns have meant that salons and barbershops are closed. But one group of Venezuelan entrepreneurs says the pandemic should not mean a moratorium on haircuts, and they’ve devised a way to make it so. Mary Triny Mena reports from Caracas.

They claim to be the first mobile barber shop in Venezuela. Their mission -- to make sure people look and feel their best, even when lockdown orders make it difficult for people to get a haircut using public transportation.

Prime Barber Truck travels to a different neighborhood each day, offering haircuts, beard trims, and facials. It also offers private at home service with a barber knocking on the client’s front door.

The company advertises the location of its trucks on social media each day.

Since it started in October, Prime Barber Truck has developed a loyal following.

The standard price for a haircut inside the mobile barbershop is around $10. That’s comparable to the price at many traditional barber shops across the country.

Parked in shopping malls and alongside food trucks, the owners of Prime Barber Truck say they’ve found a winning business plan they hope will attract customers even after pandemic restrictions ease up.

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