New Haven residents gathered on Monday morning at the sun‑lit Phil’s Hairstyles shop at 55 Whitney Avenue for a special “Coffee with Carl” reception. The event honored Carl McManus, a barber who retired a year ago after more than sixty years of service to the city’s doctors, therapists, lawyers, politicians, Yale presidents and even three Nobel laureates.
Community Leaders Share Memories
Among the attendees were Will Ginsberg, former president of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and State Senate President Marty Looney, who has served in the Senate for 33 years. Both recalled how Saturday mornings in New Haven meant a quick stop at Carl’s chair for a political question that could not wait.
Former Yale president Rick Levin, attorney David Rosen, psychiatrist Howard Kahn and Yale STEM‑tutoring director Kailasnath Purushothaman also joined the gathering. Levin noted that conversations in Carl’s chair usually revolved around baseball, basketball, and family – rarely the business of the day or politics.
Stories of Baseball, Friendship and Service
Levin and Rosen sparked a lively debate about the 1954 World Series, recalling Willie Mays’s famous catch and the Cleveland Indians’ powerful season. Rosen, a lifelong fan of the Indians, also mentioned third‑base star Al Rosen, unrelated but sharing his name.
Long‑time client Ted Bertaccini, who has been in Carl’s chair for 40 years, spoke of the barber’s transition from the original Wall Street location (closed in 2025) to the new Whitney Avenue shop. He praised Carl’s “inimitable style” and his ability to make every customer feel like a friend.
Psychologist Highlights Carl’s Gift
Psychiatrist Howard Kahn, who has been a client since at least 1995, described Carl as a natural confidant. “You just want to talk to him all the time,” Kahn said. “He is open about himself, and you can be happy in his presence. It comes from a source – loving and caring for people for who they really are.”
Retirement Challenges and New Hobbies
Since retiring, Carl has faced declining eyesight due to macular degeneration, the primary reason he stepped away from the clippers. He admits the adjustment has been difficult, but he has found comfort in gardening. “There’s nothing like a tomato off the vine,” he said, adding that he enjoys a simple tomato sandwich with Hellman’s mayonnaise.
When asked if he talks to his vegetables, Carl smiled and replied, “No, I don’t talk to them, but I check on each one of them every morning.”
Organizers and Future Plans
The three‑hour reception was organized by Susan Kissel, a longtime barber at the Whitney Avenue shop who has taken over many of Carl’s former clients. Kissel said, “They all sit down in the chair and have fun teasing that when Carl was cutting their hair, they didn’t have to explain what they wanted. Carl just knew!”
As the morning wound down, Marty Looney summed up the sentiment: “Carl is one of the greatest community treasures we have. All his customers became his friends.”
Legacy of a Local Institution
City Historian Michael Morand noted that few places have served such a diverse clientele. “All types and backgrounds have gathered here, and the barbershop uniquely offers a space where people can interact,” he said.
While the original Wall Street location closed last year, the new Whitney Avenue shop continues to be a gathering place for New Haven’s citizens, preserving the tradition of personal connection and neighborly care that Carl McManus embodied for six decades.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
