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Joseph G. Caccavella was born in 1946 in Foggia Italy. Joe was the 3rd child born to his parentsVittorino & Donata Caccavella. Joe would end up being one of seven children.
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In 1955 Vittorino & Donata moved the entire family to America. They settled in the “little Italy” neighborhood of Chicago.
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Once in America, Vittorino pursued his dream of becoming a barber. He graduated barber school and quickly obtained the license that gave him the title of Master Barber. “Vic’s Barber Shop” was located on Cicero Ave in Chicago.
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In 1964 Joe graduated barber school and obtained the license of “Master Barber” as his father did before him. Joe worked in a busy barber shop located in a popular downtown Chicago hotel.
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In 1965 Joe was drafted into the Army. Once Joe returned back home he took over the 2nd chair of “Sam’s Barber Shop” located on California & Fullerton ave in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. In 1968 Joe bought out old man Sam’s shop and it became “Joe’s Barber Shop”. The two chair shop was open @ this location until 1985.
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In 1985 Joe purchased the building @ 2641 W. Fullerton Ave where the shop currently stands today.
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In 2009 Joe’s son Joe Jr. enrolled in Success Barber School in downtown Chicago to further learn the art of professional barbering, and eventually work along side his father in the shop. His graduation from school in the fall of 2010 made Joe Jr. the third generation of licensed barber’s in his family.
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In the spring of 2010 a third chair was added to the shop. The chair that was added is the last remaining chair from Joe Sr. fathers shop. The addition of the third chair (and barber) was a welcome addition to the shop with it’s growing popularity.
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The shop was voted Chicago’s “Best Barbershop” in The Chicago Readers 2010, 2011, & 2012 readers poll.
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In the spring of 2011 the “Pop-Up Joe’s” mobile barbershop setup was created. The mobile shop can be setup in under a hour and is a fully functional barbershop offering two licensed barbers, traditional haircuts and hot towel straight razor shaves as the real Joe’s is known for. The mobile setup is perfect for corporate events, parties, etc. See more pics of the mobile shop in action @ http://joesbarbershopchicago.com/photos/?album=1&gallery=9
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The shop was named one of the 16 BEST barbershops in the nation by Details Magazine in their June/July 2012 issue.
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Plans for the shop going forward are simple. Keep up the traditions that Joe Sr. has had around since 1968, keep our services affordable, and maintain Joe’s as a Simple/Traditional barbershop that offers classic cuts, shaves, and conversation that cant be beat !
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