Hannu’s Barber Shop

Hannu Makipuro is an artist in every sense of the word. He owns and operates a fully independent business adjacent to his home. The property is well maintained and appealing, which gives credence to his professional prowess before even stepping inside.
Once inside, I occasionally (about half the time I go) have to wait 20 – 25 minutes for Hannu to finish up with another gentleman, but it’s never a problem. Hannu spends quality time with his customers, and it shows; the evolving hair designs that he creates perfectly accommodate customer requests, while providing a final product that is always better than expected!
Hannu characteristically plays classical music while working. Once in a while, he will play music by his son, Mark, who is an accomplished composer, and a true apple off of the ‘olé artistic tree. Hannu is an avid singer, albeit not while designing hair. It provides a soothing ambiance, which encourages me to actually take some time to relax during my day.
If you are a master at what you do, and you’re looking for the same in whomever cuts your hair, then I would, without skipping a beat, have to give a glowing recommendation for Hannu, @ Hannu’s Hair Design in Willimantic, CT.

A little pricy but defiantly a quality cut by someone who really cares about their work. I have no problem paying a little more to support a small private business run by a genuine person.

I can do nothing more than to heap on the compliments provided before. It was as described, and I could not be more pleased. I know I will return and be happy to pay whatever to get this type of old world treatment.
I am 56, I don’t have a lot to work with, and yet it seems to look and feel fuller. This was great. Go now.

Hannu is a person who cares deeply about what he does. Classical radio will almost certainly be playing, and the shop will always be welcoming and clean. I have complete trust in Hannu; he is really an artist.

In all my travels, I have never had a better haircut.
However, that isn’t the only reason I go to see Hannu (although that would be reason enough).
He’s a great guy who takes the time to give each individual who visits, a cut that is unique to their personality. Each cut is CUSTOMIZED TO EACH PERSON.
There is no cookie cutter mentality here.
I have had an opportunity to visit a lot of salons in a lot of huge metropolitan areas. No one (and I mean no one) can come close to this man’s talents.
It sounds like a «canned» answer, but if you care about your looks and you want the best… go see Hannu!

I’m 25 years old and I have never ever been so satisfied with a haircut ever. This man is a true artist. He is a bit pricey but that will not stop me from going back in a few weeks. I really don’t know how to explain it but he the last of a dying breed. If you truly want a perfect haircut I urge, no I expect you to stroll into this mans barber shop
It is absolutely amazing what he does an how meticulous he is down to ever strand of hair.

I’ve been a customer for close to 40 years. Hannu’s is a one-​man shop; the customer gets his full attention. The shop itself is comfortable, with a cozy, wood and glass interior. Besides the classy haircuts, Hannu is an accomplished professional musician with a musical adult son. Talk about their concert, recording, and travel experiences have enlivened many haircut sessions. His pricing is at the upper end for the area but is worth it. He loves his work and operates like an artist. Sometimes he’s asked me to return in two or three weeks for a touch-​up, free of charge, so he can make an adjustment.

If you are looking for the perfect hair cut or design for you this is the place. I would consider Hannu to be an artist at what he does. You can tell that it is not just a job or a way to make a living from the first time you sit down in his chair. He talks to you about your hair and wants to help you create a style that fits you. The first time I went I had a beard that I had been growing for about 8 weeks. I was maintaining it myself and there was no way anyone else was going to trim it up for me. I had him cut my hair only and it came out great. He talked with me about the way my hair lays and that over the next three cuts he will be able to make it look like it fits me perfect. He also asked me to give him a chance on the beard that he could get rid of the corse hairs and make it softer with out loosing the full look I am going for. I decided to wait on the beard. I have had the hair cut for three weeks right now and I think I will be able to go another three weeks before returning. Today I decided to have him trim the beard. It took 30 or 40 minutes for him to wrangle this thing in. It is very clean looking now and surprisingly soft. I look like I have had this beard for years and that it belongs to me as opposed to me belonging to the beard. LOL Not to sound corny but truley as an artist paints with a brush, or a muscian makes music with an instrument Hannu creates art with his scissors. I have been to all of the chain barber shops, even the ones that only focus on men and offer coffee, face shaving, and hot towels. No comparision. Give him a try, bring cash and be prepared to listen to some Bach or Mozart and see what he comes up with.

Hannu is an artist. What he can do with hair is amazing. He takes the time to get to know his customers and makes suggestions for improving their look. Well worth the price and occasional wait.

I am another one. A complete and total Hannu devotee. Somehow I stumbled upon this unique experience back around 1986, which would be about 28 years ago. At that time I didn’t think I could afford a haircut like the one offerred by Hannu, but I soon realized that I really could not afford NOT to get my hair cut by Hannu. So today I consider Hannu as part of my team for success. He does his thing with my hair, so I can do my thing with my business and other relationships. After going to Hannu for awhile, you will see it is about a lot more than about the hair. When my oldest son got married, Hannu openned early so my son and I could get a special, same day haircuts that would stand up to the onslaught of wedding photos taken that day and we were both very pleased. The wedding photos today bear witness to his exceptional talent and skill. He had recommended the approprite spacing for the haircuts prior the the final wedding day cut!
I recommend letting Hannu take the lead in helping you think about what would be best for your hair style, he has a great talent for this. After we moved about 50 minutes away from his shop, some would think that would be the end of getting hair cuts from Hannu, but not me, I consider it well worth the trip and I am not surprised at all that Hanu has regulars who drive all the up from New Jersey. It is a one-​of-​a-​kind total immersion experience. It is not without reason that all the reviews here are rated a high as you can rate something. Give it a try, you will be amazed by what goes into the full Hannu hair cut experience.

I have never had such a satisfying haircut experience in my life, and for reference I’ve had quality haircuts in NYC and Sweden. I realize I am much younger than Hannu’s regular clientele but I feel that is a shame and more of my generation needs to know what it is to have a great haircut. Hannu takes his time with you and won’t rush even if there are people waiting. While the haircuts are definitely a little pricey, you certainly get what you paid for. He treats you as an individual and sculpts your hair into what is perfect for you and what is going to look the best for you. I plan on making trips to see Hannu whenever I am making visits back home to CT.

I have been a Hannu devotee for the past 26 years! It started when I moved to the area and asked my new boss for a recommendation for a barber. He put me on to Hannu and I have been a customer ever since, even though I moved to New Jersey 21 years ago! I come back every 6 weeks to 2 months to get my haircut. My wife thinks I’m nuts, and maybe I am – but a haircut is a very personal item and, I have found nobody that does it better than Hannu.
Over the course of these many years I have hooked my brother-​in-​law on Hannu and have turned our visits into either Hannu and Brew (going to the Brew Pub in Willimantic following an afternoon haircut) or Breakfast and Hannu, with breakfast at the Thread City Diner followed by a haircut.
If you need a haircut, give Hannu a try. It’s worth the trip.

I have been going to Hannu’s since I was born. He has been cutting hair for over 50 years. There’s no comparison between him and other people in the area. The price is beside the point; he comes from the era where cutting hair was one of many skilled crafts, not something you learn to do at night school. He has one of the most loyal customer bases I’ve ever seen, and after getting a haircut there, you’ll see why.
He is extremely responsive to whatever you ask for, and is adept at making your hair look full without feeling heavy. If your hairline is a little funny, he’ll notice, and he’ll make it look good, instead of just cutting it normally. Everywhere else I’ve ever been has felt like a standard cut. Like says, «Nothing but the best, from the best, for the best.»
Oh and I’ve had him shave me/​trim my beard when I went through that phase, and it was like going to a spa. Warm shaving cream, a switchblade razor, a towel on his shoulder, the whole deal.
I’ve lived in New Jersey, Arkansas and now Brooklyn, and I always wait until I come back home to get a haircut — sometimes I come home just to get the haircut.

There is no doubt about it. Hannu is the best around. He doesn’t cut hair… he sculpts it, and he treats you like a VIP in the process (carefully vacuuming off any traces of hair so you won’t itch).
His shop is immaculate and he even has mirrors set up so that you can see your entire head without moving a muscle (except those that control your eyes, of course). His haircuts are worth every penny!