Have you noticed a few more cars parked near the intersection of Leigh and Mozelle Streets recently?

Have you seen a few more customers at the MLWGS corner barbershop lately?

Have you ever asked yourself – “what’s going on over there?”

Well, read on and satisfy your curiosity!

The new Rock Barbershop, located just across the street from MLWGS, opened its doors to the Richmond community this month. Beginning last week and continuing through Halloween, Rock Barbershop is hosting Virginia Union University’s Greek Week.

VUU senior Michael Moore, also known as “Mr. Virginia Union University,” is the president of his college’s Apha Fraternity.

VUU’s Gamma chapter of the Alpha Fraternity dates back to 1907, and Moore spoke with pride of his fraternity’s history and its continued community relationships.

“Rock [Eddie Espada] and Guap-O [Angel Maldonado] who own this barbershop are very good guys. They’re always reaching out to others” said Moore.
Last week, members of VUU’s Alpha fraternity stopped by Rock Barbershop and made themselves at home.

“Some of our guys [fraternity members] always got their hair cut here. When Rock moved in, they tried to open it up as a community center,” said Moore. “They invited us to be the first to hang out here.”

On Wednesday, October 8, the Alpha’s held an evening barbershop discussion at the Rock. The next day, the students reconvened for a Madden [football video game] tournament and on Friday, October 10, the Alphas sponsored a neighborhood cookout for charity.

In the weeks to come, other VUU fraternities will visit Rock Barbershop to participate in similar activities. And, after Greek Week concludes, owners at Rock Barbershop already have plans for new community events.

“We’re thinking of ways to get Walker [MLWGS] students and people who live around here to feel comfortable coming in,” said Maldonado, also known as Guap-O. “If anyone has an idea, just drop by and share it.”