Gents,

In 1846 Thomas Prest wrote a horror story that appeared in The People’s Periodical and spawned a character of great mystery and awe.  The original story, The String of Pearls: A Romance, featured a secondary character named Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The Demon Barber has attracted the attention of scholars and historians who debate his existence. According to Prest, the Demon Barber would mangle and disfigure his victims with a straight razor. The name Sweeney Todd has been synonymous with the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, but one modern Gentleman transformed the name and it is now associated with quality barbering and a classic barbershop.

Andy Torres opened a barbershop at 4639 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, California in 1947. As a testament to longevity, only 3 Gentlemen have had the privilege of owning it in the last 66 years! The original name of the shop “Andy’s” continued until Danny Rivas, the second owner, sold the shop to his employee and mentee Todd “Sween” Lahman. Based on Sween’s love for classic horror movies (1936 adaptation Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) the name was changed to Sweeney Todd’s Barbershop. The shop was remodeled in the early fifties and according to Sween, “the shop still has the original floors, barber chairs, back bar and some of the original mirrors from the fifties remodel.” The vibe of the shop is classic early 50’s barbershop. All the barbers wear clean white smock’s that have a high “priest” like collar and the letters ST on the left side. The unique smocks are fitting because getting a haircut can be sacred and not something taken lightly at Sweeney Todd.

Not only is the shop home to world-class barbers but two of them are musicians. Rudy G is leader of Rudy G & The Hi-Tones and guitar player for The Wiseguys Big Band Machine. His music is a mix of Rockabilly, Tex-Mex, Mariachi, Swing, Lounge, Rock & Roll, Blues and Soul.  Almon is a straight up rocker who’s band Almon Loos & The Hoop’n’Hollers is best described as “a ultra savage Rock’n’Roll and Rockabilly band of the 50’s Rockin scene”. Both these Gentlemen are skilled barbers and fantastic musicians.

Like all legends, Sweeney Todd’s has been photographed or written about in GQ, Vanity Fair, Men’s Vogue, and Los Angeles Magazine. The notoriety of the shop is not limited to print media. The shop appeared in a scene on Mad Men season 5 and recently American Idol filmed a segment with one of the stars from Glee. The shop is a highly sought after location for filming, “I am asked at an almost weekly rate to have the place used in commercials and tv shows.”

If you walk into Sweeney Todd’s establishment you will find a classic barbershop that remains true to the period in which it was created. The standards are upheld by the barbers and they are not only “skilled in the trade but most importantly they are true gentlemen. I don’t tolerate narrow-mindedness or jockular type behavior” says, Sween. The customers come from all walks of life and don’t be surprised if you run into Giovanni Ribisi (Gangster Squad) or Jon Hamm (Don Draper from Mad Men) to name a few but Sween is “not one to cut and tell. What’s said in the shop stays in the shop.”  All types of haircuts are given and the traditional hot towel shave and neck massage are available to those seeking high-quality barbering services.

The 1950’s is considered the Golden Age in which most people were able to receive images via the television set that depicted global conflicts and the beginning of the Space Race. The musical scene was emanating a cultural shift with Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and a host of other musicians.  Goods and services were high-quality and carried out with pride. Sweeney Todd’s Barbershop is a beacon of the Golden Age of barbering in America. It is not difficult to see why dignitaries, actors, businessmen, and common folk are attracted to a simple and classic barbershop that epitomizes a great period in history.

The character of Sweeney Todd created by Prest captured the imagination of Londoners during the Victorian Period but playwright George Dibdin Pitt took Sweeney Todd center stage. On March 1, 1847 Pitt’s play titled “The String Of Pearls: The Fiend of Fleet Street” made its debut and catapulted the Demon Barber’s legend and character. It would take 160 years to redefine the name of Sweeney Todd and merge it with Golden Age Barbering in America.

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www.sweeneytoddsbarbershopla.com

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