Free razors and marketing for New York’s legendary Astor Hair

With virtually no sidewalk presence, Astor Hair is reached via a steep run of steps. An incentive to get customers inside, therefore, was essential.
Bill Tompkins/Getty Images

By Robert Klara

10 mins ago

For three-quarters of a century now, a rite of passage for anyone moving to the Big Apple has been getting a trim at Astor Hair. Since 1947, the sprawling, budget-priced salon in the cellar of 2 Astor Place has scalped everyone from punks to pensioners, students to celebrities.