Our story
Brothers. Barbers.
Neighbors.
Fade Bros. started with two brothers, three chairs and a simple idea: a great barbershop is about the cut, the conversation and never feeling rushed.
The Logan Square shop at 2741 N Milwaukee Ave, open since 2012.
Since 2012
Learned on 79th Street
Marcus and Danny Okafor grew up in their uncle Femi’s barbershop in Chatham, first sweeping floors, then cutting the regulars after closing. Femi had one rule: “Nobody leaves my chair unhappy, and nobody leaves without a hot towel.”
In 2012 they took that rule to a former shoe repair shop on Milwaukee Avenue. Today there are ten chairs across two shops, six barbers and thousands of regulars, and the rule is painted on the wall in both.
We’re still family-owned. We still play records. And Uncle Femi still gets his cut for free.
Timeline
Fourteen years, two shops
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2002
Sweeping floors on 79th Street
Marcus, then 16, starts sweeping hair at his uncle Femi’s shop in Chatham. Danny follows two years later.
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2012
Three chairs on Milwaukee Ave
The brothers sign a lease on a former shoe repair shop in Logan Square and open with three chairs and a borrowed record player.
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2016
Six chairs and Hal
Logan Square doubles in size. Hal Brennan, a neighborhood legend since 1992, brings his clients and his flat tops.
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2019
Pilsen opens
Danny opens our second shop on 18th Street under a mural by Mariela Ruiz. Rosa is the first barber through the door.
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2023
Our own products
After years of mixing pomade in the back room, we launch a small line with a Wisconsin apothecary.
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2026
The apprentice program
A paid 12-month program for new barbers, taught in both shops. Our first class of three starts this fall.
House rules
Our standards
Painted on the wall in both shops. If we fall short, tell the front desk or send us a note.
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01
Hot towel with every cut
Every cut, including the $25 buzz, ends with a hot towel and a straight-razor neck shave.
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02
Clean tools, every client
Combs, guards and clippers are disinfected between clients. Every shave gets a fresh blade, opened in front of you.
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03
On time or $10 off
If you booked and we keep you waiting more than 10 minutes, the next $10 is on us.
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04
One price list
Same prices at both shops and with every barber, from apprentice to master. No “consultation” upsells.
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05
Free fix for 7 days
Not happy? Come back within a week and we’ll put it right at no charge.
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06
Everyone’s welcome
All hair types, all ages, all genders. We price the service, not the person in the chair.
Careers & chair rental
Work a chair with us
We hire for skill and attitude in equal measure. Health insurance for full-time barbers, paid education days and a 401(k) match.
Hiring
Barber
Full time · Logan Square
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Illinois barber license and two years behind the chair
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Confident with fades and scissor work
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55% commission or $24/hr guaranteed, plus 100% of tips
Fall 2026 class
Apprentice
12 months · Both shops
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Paid $19/hr while you learn, with a guaranteed chair after
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Straight-razor training with Danny and Hal
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Licensed or currently in barber school
Pilsen
Chair rental
One chair · $260 / week
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Use of our booking system, front desk and towel service
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Keep your own prices and clients, 3-month minimum
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Bring your own tools; we supply products at cost