Emilio’s Shalom 31 1/2 South Street. Being that the center of downtown Newark is Broad and Market streets, there are four ways that the typical everyday person enters. From the east would be from Newark Penn station, just two blocks up from where Million Dollar Kutz barbershop once was. This entry would be the rail commuters.
From the west, or up Market Street, where buses, cars and pedestrians flow, is towards Epic Creations barbershop. Then you pass Washington Street where Iconic Styles is. Over there, predominantly locals coming from Newark, the Oranges and Irvington, New Jersey travel these routes.
From the South, are car commuters driving in from New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and the U.S Routes, 1 and 9. The airport is also in that direction.
So, coming down Broad Street, from the South, you are met with a plethora of local businesses, and mainly hair salons and barbershops. A headliner barbershop is Master Cuts. What’s interesting is that both ends of Broad Street hold Latino enclaves, while the core, and most of the city is Black. That is because Newark has been a predominantly Black city since the 1970s.
In the Latino enclave, I talked to Emilo of Emilo’s Shalom, which is on the corner of Broad and South street. He told me that he uses his spiritual practice to bridge the gap between ethnic and cultural diversity, and to bring peace to the area. Emilo’s Shalom is right across from Rite-Aide and says he welcomes change as long as everyone is involved.
That’s crazy hearing about Million Dollar Kutz. The accomplishments of gentrification is like the backlash our community receive due to lack of economical unity. Duane and Kaia. Keep up the great work making knowledge born. Ptah. Peace