Downtown Pittsburgh Welcomes Penn Barber Co.
Written by Arlo Grey MacFarland
Located inside the Omni William Penn Hotel at 555 Grant St. downtown sits Penn Barber Co., a one-chair barber shop run by Anthony Mankoski. Opening in May 2025, Penn Barber Co. services classic barbering techniques combined with contemporary technology and hair design. Owner and haircutter Mankoski prides himself in his hair craftsmanship, with each cut “built on structure and styled for real life.”
Anthony Mankoski is an Erie native, starting his journey with cutting hair as a teenager. He began with self haircuts, then eventually moved on to punk-inspired cuts on his friends. Eventually, Mankoski graduated to color work, even noting dying leopard print patterns on someone’s hair. After high school, Mankoski studied cosmetology at the Toni & Guy school in Erie. There, he really developed his technical skills with scissors and clippers, shaping up for the next step in his career.
Breaking into the hair industry nearly 20 years ago, the environment surrounding men’s grooming and self care was much different. Mankoski had started in a chain salon, but didn’t love the environment. He eventually shifted towards high-end and luxury salons in the Erie region, and found his niche there.
“At that time [late 2000-early 2010s], if you were a guy and you cared about your haircut, you didn't go to a barber shop, you went to a salon. So, this barber boom, as I call it, that's been going on in the last 10 or 15 years, has been a great thing because it's pushed, you know, the average price of [a men’s haircut]. I did extensive market research, the average price in Pittsburgh. Anywhere you go, basically that's a standalone barbershop. The average price is about $40, so we're a long way from where we were, you know, in 2010, 2012,” said Mankoski.
Mankoski started working for the Duquesne Club during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he really built up his Pittsburgh clientele. He fell in love with the hustle of downtown, wanting to build up the barber shops in the city, as at the time many were closing due to aging owners.
“Downtown Pittsburgh was very confusing to me for a while and I had no idea where, I mean, I could get lost just in this little triangle. That's one of the things that I found is actually the beauty of it, is that it's crammed into such a small space and everything is so close together and crammed in here. But like I said, from where I'm at now, from the furthest points downtown, it's only a 10 minute walk,” said Mankoski.
After four years at the Duquesne Club, Mankoski decided that it was time to go solo. After searching for eight months for the perfect spot, he committed to suite 370 in the Omni William Penn Hotel.
“When I came and looked at it, I kind of just, in my mind, thought about it as if I was a client coming for the 1st time for a haircut. As soon as I walked into this beautiful grand lobby, my 1st thought was, wow, that's some great curb appeal. And then, you know, when we finally came up to the 3rd floor. I liked the idea that it was still kind of hidden,” Mankoski said.
With his extensive resume and national accolades, Anthony Mankoski has made a name for himself in Pittsburgh’s hair industry.
“This is some of the best haircuts that you can get due to all those years in the salon, learning that extremely well, that foundation of skills, and sort of blending that technique with old school barbering techniques that still hold up,” said Mankoski.
Penn Barber Co. offers a variety of men’s grooming services, including haircuts, beard trimming, and “The Ritual” wet shave experience. Using luxe products from heritage companies from London and Germany, alongside artisan American products, Mankoski’s attention to detail in his work is truly unmatched. For more information or to book an appointment, visit their website pennbarber.com, or call their phone number (412) 853-3320.
