New Barbering School Headed to Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Center will soon be home to a new barbering school.
Melt City Barbering School of Craftsmanship got the go-ahead for operation from the Brooklyn Center City Council on Monday.
The school will open in the former Handz-On Barber and Beauty shop at 6800 Humboldt Ave. N. in the Humboldt Square shopping center. That’s the same strip mall that’s home to Value Foods and House of Hui.
Rory Purnell, a Brooklyn Center resident, will head the school.
“To put a business here is definitely a perfect dream,” Purnell said.
Purnell has spent 20 years as a barber and got his instructors license from the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners. He said it took him a year to find a viable space to lease and close a deal in his hometown.
According to city staff members, Purnell considered leasing a space in the Shingle Creek Shopping Center but ran into zoning issues.
The school will offer formal instruction at 16 barber chairs and eight wash sinks.
Purnell told the council he is working with Brooklyn Center Community Schools to develop a six-week afterschool program for local students.
“I want to at least, [teach] at least 20 to 30 kids per school year,” he said.
The city council was unanimous and enthusiastic in its support of the project.
“I might send my son over there, like, ‘hey, you need to get a haircut and get a job,'” said Mayor April Graves. “I’m just excited to see what you do next.”
Purnell will also use the space as a barber shop for his own clients.
Rory Purnell, a Brooklyn Center resident, will head Melt City Barbering School of Craftsmanship.
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