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Owned and operated by Garfield Ridge native
By Tim Hadac
If boys and girls in Clearing and Garfield Ridge look a bit more stylish as they head back to school this month, Cristihan Barcenas had something to do with it.
The owner of Union Fades Barbershop, Barcenas led his team of barbers at the recent “back to school” party and book bag giveaway hosted by Geno Randazzo and the Midway Chamber of Commerce at Wentworth Park.
“We had a lot of fun doing it, and we had a line of kids,” he recalled. “We started when the event opened at 10 o’clock in the morning. When the event ended at 1, we still had kids showing up, so we stayed and cut hair ‘til 2:30. The response was big.”
They also provided braiding services for girls.
Located in strip mall space at 6425 W. Archer (where Totally Tan once was), Union Fades was founded in March 2021. But City Hall’s pandemic limitations delayed the opening by 17 months. In fact, the shop opened its doors exactly one year ago today (Aug. 16).
The business has seen steady growth and today can accommodate up to eight customers at a time. Its six barbers (plus a young apprentice) are busy providing everything from standard haircuts to fades, mohawks, blowouts, graphics and more. The shop is open daily.
Barcenas, 29, grew up in the area, attending Sahs School in Central Stickney and then Kennedy High School, where he graduated in 2012.
He started cutting hair at age 14, beginning as an apprentice under his older brother.
“This is something I knew I wanted to do from an early age,” Barcenas said. “I really got into it. When I was younger I would draw a lot, and I see cutting hair as an extension of that, as art.
Union Fades accepts appointments but also accommodates walk-ins.
