Health Director Refused Cut, So He Closes Salon

The city’s health director, suspecting he was being denied a trim because he is black, ordered a local hair salon shut down.

When he arrived at the Sweeney Todd Salon on Friday, Dr. Andrew McBride said, he was told there was no one there who could cut his hair.

“They didn’t raise the race issue, but it’s implied here. They made this reference to my ‘curly hair,’ when they said no one could cut it,” McBride said.

After he saw a white couple receive service, he said, he took action.

The salon violated its license by refusing him service, McBride said. He added that if its staff was properly trained and licensed it should be able to cut anyone’s hair.

McBride, whose Stamford Health Department is responsible for licensing and inspecting the city’s beauty salons, said the shop would remain closed at least until Monday. It would be up to the state Department of Health to determine if its license should be suspended, he said.