estled near the corner of Union and 299 Smith St. in the neighborhood of Carroll Gardens-sits one of Brooklyn’s upstart, young professional barbershops. Steve Marks, owner of Persons of Interest, transplant from Memphis, Tennessee, and former television producer with networks such as CNN, the Daily Show, and MTV, decided to follow through on an idea, “Everyone has great ideas to do stuff but I actually decided to act on one.” Marks believed it was time to have a men’s grooming locale so the everyday Brooklynite wouldn’t have to trek to Manhattan to get a shape-up, haircut, or clean shave. Only three months into the venture, Persons of Interest has met the confident expectations of the NYU graduate but it wasn’t without some chips falling where they did, “I would’ve never opened a barbershop if all these things didn’t fall into place.”
Marks walked past the barbershop on a daily basis, constantly believing, if someone could slightly update the shop while keeping the historic character that this particular barbershop would be successful. After inquiring about the location through a real estate agent, Marks realized the owner of 35-plus years was staying put. Marks let the idea go but through some bittersweet divine intervention Marks would become owner of his shop. Wanting to keep the style and character of the barbershop’s former owner, Marks took three months to renovate the locale giving it a contemporary 70′s feel, “It had old 70’s basement paneling and I just reupholstered it with good 70′s paneling, which was a homage to what was there.”
With thoughtful and quality care-design from Marks, Persons of Interest opened and they’ve never looked backed, “We started with two barber chairs and in the first six weeks I had to find another matching chair.” If you’re ever in the area, after a little conversation with the good folks at The BKc, head over to Persons of Interest for a free drink (alcohol induced or not), and receive a proper grooming that will make you feel like a new man. 
