George's Barber Shop Cutting for 64 Years in Downtown Rocky Point

Born in Wading River, everytime George Kurovics passed through Rocky Point on his way to Port Jefferson High School he said to himself that he would join the Navy, then open up a barber shop in the area when he returned.

Kurovics entered World War II at the age of 17 after getting permission to join the Navy from his parents. When he returned, he fulfilled his dream and opened up George's Barber Shop in downtown Rocky Point in 1948.

Now 87 years old, Kurovics is still cutting hair at 48 Broadway as he's watched the business landscape evolve in the area.

"Business has always been good," he said. "When I first opened up I was the only barber shop between Port Jefferson and Riverhead open year-round. It's just like all the bagel shops and pizza parlors now, it’s all relative."

Kurovics met his wife Joyce when she came in looking for work years ago and they are still both cutting hair in the shop. Their son George has started helping increase their web presence in an age where the internet is vital to a business' success.

"With all these businesses coming up we’re establishing that tradition that we can provide a good old American haircut but at that same time we can reach that surrounding population by being out there," the younger George said.

Now, the shop is on Twitter @GeorgesBarberNY, facebook.com/GeorgesRockyPointBarberShop and will soon have its own website - www.georgesrockypointbarbershop.com. While readily evolving, the clientele remains strong and continues to grow.

"Theres a lot of reputation involved," the younger Kurovics said. "There are people that have been coming here their whole life, they tell their friends and family and they come here as well.

"Over the years we’ve seen many businesses sprout up and coexist in the area. Some maybe stayed longer than others, some have come and gone quite fast…throughout this entire time, George's has stayed and continued to draw considerable business form the area."